Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety

Sometimes we all feel that our well-being😠 slipping away and we’re in need to relax😶‍🌫️. But how do we know that the strategies🥬 we want to try will work?🧑‍💼 Well, to start, we can try science-based relaxation techniques. Relaxation is a process to decrease the stress effects on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress. And these techniques can help with long-term stress or stress related to various health problems, such as heart disease and pain. Here are several relaxation techniques for anxiety that science says can help you decrease stress.

Relaxation Techniques In Psychology

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 muscle relaxation. Autogenic relaxation may be done during a therapy session and involves calming breathing techniques and meditation to achieve relaxation. A 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.

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 that 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.

Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety

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 compassionate mental health professionals, 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. If you need FREE help please contact the National Helpline about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.