Relaxation

Relaxation is a state of low tension in the mind and body. People frequently use specific procedures, called relaxation techniques, to become more relaxed.

What Is Relaxation?

Tension is a state of physical stiffness in the body that can cause pain and even emotional reactions such as anxiety. Physical relaxation aims to undo this tension and progressively relax muscles and muscle groups. Psychological relaxation occurs when the mind is relatively free of stress and distraction. People may still have stress in their lives or tasks to complete when they are psychologically relaxed, but stress and tension are not foremost in the minds of relaxed people. Psychological relaxation can affect physical relaxation, and people under stress frequently experience physical aches and pains as well as muscle tension.

Some people have more trouble with relaxation than others. People who tend toward anxiety may experience fewer states of relaxation than others. Depression, anxiety, external stress such as unemployment, diet, and drug use can all affect a person’s state of relaxation.

Relaxation Techniques

There are a wide variety of relaxation techniques, and some people seek help from therapists to learn how to relax. Some common relaxation techniques include:

Aromatherapy

This approach to relaxation involves using essential oils and natural fragrances to reduce stress and induce a sense of calm. Research has shown aromatherapy can be an effective relaxation strategy, with some scientifically proven essential oils for reducing stress including clary sage, geranium, lavender, and ylang ylang.

Breathing

Relaxation exercises that focus on slow, deep breathing (also known as diaphragmatic breathing) can help people calm down if they’re experiencing anxiety, stress, or panic. Diaphragmatic breathing, even when used on its own, has been shown to greatly reduce an individual’s cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and calm strong responses to stress in the moment.

Exercise

Physical activity in the form of yoga, jogging, and a variety of other exercise approaches have been shown in a wide range of studies to tame stress and anxiety. Even taking short, daily walks can help people relax.

Herbal remedies

Some individuals use herbal supplements to aid in relaxation and lessen anxiety. A study published in Nutrition Journal revealed 71% of test subjects found that passionflower and kava extracts helped them reduce symptoms of anxiety. While some experts suggest relaxation attributed to herbal remedies may be due to the placebo effect, others find that taking certain supplements is indeed effective.

Individual meditation

There are many types of and approaches to meditation, but most of them involve using a quiet, comfortable space and focus to calm the mind and body. Multiple studies have shown that meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation, may help improve anxiety symptoms.

Massage

There are many types of massage. The practice of massage often focuses on physically helping people reduce many types of muscle tension, including tension caused by stress or anxiety. While more research is needed to show that massage can effect long-term stress reduction, at least one study has shown that cortisol levels are lower after a massage session.

Medication

Anti-anxiety medication may be one component of mental health treatment for an anxiety disorder. When used appropriately, medication may help some individuals achieve relaxation and get relief from tension. There are many types of anti-anxiety medications, so it’s important to consult with a licensed mental health professional to learn which one might be most effective for you.

Music

Some people listen to music they find relaxing in order to achieve a sense of calm, reduce tension, or soothe sadness or anxiety. Listening to music has been shown to reduce stress via the autonomic nervous system, meaning it may be most effective at reducing stress when it impacts a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and other physical responses that are often associated with stress or anxiety, such as sweating and shaking.

Progressive muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is commonly used to combat muscle tension that may occur as a result of anxiety or stress. This exercise involves tensing and relaxing one part of the body at a time. A study published in Biological Psychology showed that progressive muscle relaxation lowered stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels in test subjects.

Relaxation in Therapy

In some types of therapy, relaxation exercises play a key role. As relaxation may help soothe the symptoms of a variety of mental health issues, a counselor may teach you certain relaxation techniques or assign them as therapy “homework.”

Some common forms of therapy in which relaxation is a key component include:

Autogenic training

Also known as autogenic relaxation, this relaxation technique is similar to progressive muscle relaxation. Autogenic relaxation may be done during a therapy session and involves calming breathing techniques and meditation to achieve relaxation. A 2002 study found that autogenic training helped with headaches, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback uses electric sensors to help people understand their body’s response to different thoughts. It may help people connect effective coping mechanisms or healthy, relaxation-promoting thoughts with reduced tension within their body by displaying the body’s various responses through biofeedback equipment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

As CBT is often used to help people recognize and confront unhealthy thought patterns and replace them with functional ones, it may also help people root out thought habits that contribute to tension. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may also help reduce anxiety and stress.

Guided therapeutic imagery

During guided therapeutic imagery, a therapist helps someone envision a relaxing scenario. A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found guided imagery and relaxation were just as effective as progressive muscle relaxation in reducing pain. Another study found that guided imagery increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety in postpartum mothers.

Hypnotherapy

During a hypnotherapy session, the therapist may typically help the person in therapy relax and may give them a phrase to use (called a “suggestion”) to induce self-hypnosis, or a state of relaxation, when feeling tense. Research supports the effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing anxiety and calming somatic symptoms caused by stress.

Difficulty achieving relaxation can lead to serious physical and mental health issues including anxiety, chronic fatigue, headaches, chronic pain, sleep disorders, hypertension, and more. With the help of a compassionate mental health professional, you can explore the roots of your tension and learn new skills and relaxation techniques you can use to gain a deeper sense of calm and greater health and well-being. Find a therapist near me.

Relaxation for Mental Health: How to Relax Your Mind

It’s common for mental health issues to cause tension in the body. However, tension can also be brought on by stressors that occur over the course of a person’s life, such as taking a test or evaluation, interviewing for a job, or raising children. When tension arises as a result of a mental health issue or stressor, it may help to choose some relaxation techniques that work for you and practice them regularly.

Individuals with anxiety or who are prone to panic attacks may need help relaxing in the moment if their anxiety response becomes overpowering. One tool often touted as one of the most effective strategies for relaxing or coming down from a panic attack is to breathe. A common breathing exercise for relaxation is to take a deep breath from your abdomen (not your chest) and inhale through your nose for a full breath. Then, exhale through your mouth slowly till the end of the breath. Repeat until your body begins to relax.

Those who experience social anxiety or someone preparing for a job interview may also find they have trouble relaxing. In addition to deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises, some people find repeating certain thoughts or affirmations to themselves may help them begin to relax. When stress is caused by a known fear or worry about a specific situation, confronting the anxiety-causing thoughts may be the first step to relaxation.

Repeating positive affirmations, such as, “Things will work out for me,” or “I’m going to be okay,” have been proven to help people relax. One study found that in mothers about to go into labor, repeating affirmations had a marked impact on their anxiety levels, allowing them to achieve more relaxation while in labor.

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Last Updated: 06-7-2019