| After the rush-rush-rush of everyday life, everyone | | | | to be when you can't be, can be very soothing. |
| wants to learn relaxation techniques. As our lives keep | | | | Quiet Ears |
| on becoming more and more stressful, learning to relax | | | | In this technique, tell your body to calm down and take |
| has become increasingly difficult. Today, using natural | | | | it easy by physically forcing quiet into your body. Lie on |
| techniques is a preferred approach by many, as many | | | | your back or whatever position is comfortable and |
| people are leery of turning to medical assistance. | | | | close your eyes. Put your hands behind your head and |
| There are many different natural methods of | | | | place your thumbs inside your ears closing the ear |
| relaxation; there is no "one way". You need to find the | | | | canal. A high-pitched rushing sound will occur, this is |
| one that works for you, and stick with it. | | | | expected. Shut yourself to all other distractions. Your |
| Guided Imagery | | | | arms will relax by themselves and you will eventually |
| Guided Imagery is exactly what it says it is. Visualize | | | | fall asleep. |
| yourself moving in a place that is completely tranquil. | | | | White Noise |
| Many people joking refer to this as the "happy place", | | | | White noise is commonly known as white sound. Since |
| but that is essentially what it is. First you need to lie | | | | it utilizes many frequencies of sounds from high to low |
| down and close your eyes and think of the "happy | | | | and back it has what is known as a "masking" effect. |
| place". Pick a place that you would enjoy being in or | | | | The noise itself will appear like a whooshing noise and |
| fantasize about. It could be a white sand beach with | | | | it is quite similar to the sound of rain or wind in the |
| beautiful sea breezes whipping around you, or a | | | | trees. Studies have shown it to be something that fills |
| grassy picnic in the mountains, it can be anything and | | | | one with a sense of peace as it is a sound derived |
| any place you want it to be. It does not have to be | | | | from nature. You can purchase White Noise CD's or |
| someplace you've been, it could even be someplace | | | | noisemakers through your local bookstore or retailers |
| you want to be. Your imagination is your limitation. | | | | online. |
| While you are imagining yourself there, pay attention to | | | | These are just a few relaxation techniques you can |
| every sound, smell, warmth, feeling, sensation. Picture | | | | try on your own, there are so many out there. The |
| yourself there and relax yourself. Use this place as | | | | key to this is that these are based on the same |
| often as you need to and whenever you want to. | | | | principles as exercise does. You need time and |
| "Pretending" that you are somewhere that you want | | | | practice with them to become successful with them. |