Muscle Relaxation To Calm Anxiety

How can muscle relaxation help to calm anxiety?  Well, if your anxiety is high, chances are you are also tense. Tension can cause all kinds of aches and pains.  So, it is time to do some muscle relaxation.

First, find a quiet place, take the phone off the hook, and put up your do not disturb sign.  It is important to not have any distractions or interruptions when trying to focus on relaxation techniques.

• Focus on one muscle at a time and keep the rest of your body relaxed.
• Tighten one muscle and hold for 10 seconds and release. Relax for another 10 seconds.
• Do this for each muscle. 

I find it is easier, to start from my head and work my way down to my feet. If a certain muscle still feels tense, tighten and relax again. I find that my neck and shoulders need extra help.  Sometimes it helps to deeply relax before beginning this muscle relaxation exercise.

As with any exercise you need to check with your doctor before trying anything new.