Stressed and confused? Try these relaxation techniques now
Relax, take a break!
Surely, you have heard people say this to each other when confused or stressed. If only they knew how! Nothing beats meditation in its ability to relax a disturbed, agitated, or confused mind.
Relaxation techniques in meditation quickly help a person settle into a relaxed state. Not only that, but they are also long-lasting since they work at the deep subconscious level. The spin-off benefits include better sleep, clarity, calmness, and contentment.
There are many relaxation techniques that we would be discussing here. It is important to find a relaxation technique that works for you best. Whatever the choice, the key is to practice regularly to draw its full benefits.
Here are some of the most common and widely practiced ones.
Breath awareness relaxation technique
This technique involves focusing on the breath – each inhale and exhale – and observing the feeling of the air entering and leaving the body. This is an invaluable relaxation technique to help “be in the present”, and hence useful when disturbed about the past or anxious about future events.
Body scan relaxation technique
In this relaxation technique, the object of focus is the body. You lie down and focus on each part of your body, starting from the toes and moving up to the top of your head. As you focus on each part of the body, the tension that held you tight eases its grip, and you start to feel lighter, both in body and mind.
Kindness meditation
The technique here is to repeat phrases of love and kindness to oneself or others. It helps evoke positive feelings of care and confidence and removes the despondency one may be struggling with.
Mantra repetition
Like kindness meditation, this relaxation technique also involves silently repeating a phrase. But in this case, it would be a mantra obtained from a guru or any other mantra you connect strongly with. Here, the focus is on the rhythm of the mantra chant rather than its meaning.
Music meditation relaxation technique
Music is a hugely popular relaxation technique, both among meditators and nonmeditators. Meditating aided by music regulates the default mode network (DMN), the region responsible for rumination and anxiety. DMN helps by letting our mind soak into the relaxing music and temporarily distancing us from worrisome thoughts.
Yoga relaxation technique
This technique is a combination of both and mind – physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation. This can be done only if you have formally learned the yoga postures.
Ambient meditation
When we visit a beautiful beach, a lovely garden with colorful flowers and chirping birds, and a breathtaking waterfall, we are so overtaken by its sight that we instantly feel lighter and cheerful. In this relaxation technique, you head to a quiet, outdoor spot. You take in the sights, sounds, and sensations of nature. Combine this experience with slow, deep breaths to become relaxed and refreshed.
Heartfulness Meditation relaxation technique
Heartfulness-guided meditation is a powerful relaxation technique centered around the heart – the fountainhead of love, compassion, and self-esteem. Through simple, easy-to-practice meditation, the Heartfulness relaxation technique teaches us that by keeping the heart in the right place, the mind will automatically follow us there. When the mind becomes flexible, managing many situations confidently and accepting any outcomes positively will be a cakewalk.
Heartfulness meditation has been developed by a spiritual institution steeped in the practice of meditation for over a hundred years. It has taught the profundity and timeless value of heartfulness meditation to millions of people around the world.
Heartfulness Guided Meditation App
This meditation app can find everything you need to relax, refresh and recharge.
You can:
- learn to meditate
- manage moods
- practice meditation with music
- practice with a trainer. If you don’t wish to meditate alone, you can take the help
of a trainer with hundreds of hours in meditation - capture your experiences & thoughts
- track progress
Give yourself the gift of calm, poise, and self-control with Heartfulness meditation.
Heartfulness believes that meditation, an ancient yet timeless skill, should be shared for free. Everything in the app is free. Be it to practice meditation, attend master classes or seek the help of a personal trainer. What you will spend is only your time.
Download Heartfulness App. Begin your meditation. Feel the change.
Sathish Rajamani is an advertising professional, writer and literary translator. He has written many advertising campaigns, blog content and business features. His interests are learning Carnatic music, visiting ancient temples and practising meditation.
