Relaxation exercises to reduce stress

There are many relaxation exercises that one can do to reduce stress. Most of these exercises try to activate the de-stressing mechanism of the mind by relaxing the body. Note that only doing such exercises is not enough. The stress that is released must still be processed. So you need to combine the relaxation exercises with physical activities, light sports and sufficient sleep. Massages and / or saunas are also excellent ways to relax the nervous system.

Common relaxation exercises versus yoga and meditation

Doing relaxation exercises to reduce stress is certainly useful. But its effect is less strong than with yoga and meditation. These two forms of relaxation release more stress than the regular relaxation exercises. The processing of the released stress is also facilitated in a better way. The reasons for this are:

1. The physical and mental rest level is much deeper in yoga and meditation. This strongly activates the natural de-stressing mechanism of the nervous system.
2. Yoga and meditation stimulate the nerve channels. This brings the stress into the conscious mind where it can be dissolved.

By far the best way to reduce stress is Transcendental Meditation. 

A few simple relaxation exercises

The following is a few simple relaxation exercises that you can repeat as many times as you want:

1. Lie on your back on the bed or on the floor. Place your arms along the body. Relax consciously your muscles one by one. Start with your feet and work all your muscles from the bottom to the top. Feel a relaxing stimulus going through your nerves while doing this. You feel as if your body is lying heavily on the floor or bed.
2. Lie on your back on the bed or on the floor. Place the arms along the body. Breathe in and out quietly. At the next inspiration you raise both arms to vertical. With the exhalation that follows, let the arms fall slowly and softly over the head. Leave it for a moment and just breathe normally. Then, when you inhale, raise your arms to vertical again. And then you let them fall again quietly at the exhale so that they lie along the body.

stress discharges

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yoga and meditation