In my relationship book Sex, Lies and Stereotypes (New Holland, price £7.99), I cover basic relaxation techniques.
For me, being able to relax is also a basic communication skill too. Relaxation is also beneficial when doing exams as it helps sharpen mental functions such as memory.
Better still, invest in a relaxation book like Relaxation in a Week by Pat and Colin Dyke, Hodder Arnold, price £9.99) and perhaps a recording of relaxation music.
Music is very personal and what one person finds relaxing another might find irritating. It could be your favourite chill out collection, a piece of classical music or one of the many dedicated ‘relaxation’ CDs on the market.
For many people, deep breathing and relaxing to music and being able to switch off is as much as is needed. Others choose to ‘take it to the next level’ and go for deeper states of relaxation. Research into stress and health shows that deep relaxation and meditation have notable benefits of health. For instance when we are stressed our immune defences to things like the common cold are lowered.
Meditation may not be for you and you may think it is all a bit ‘new age’. However, you don’t have to buy into the incense and candles and chanting, you can just focus on the basic techniques.
When all’s said and done, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. If it helps then why not commit to an experiment of relaxing/ meditating for 20 minutes per day for 21 days. At the end of it, review it. Did it make a difference? Why not try it and see? I dare you!
