Learn To Relax |
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Telling an adult he must learn to relax is like telling him that he must learn to breathe. Very few people, however, really know how to relax. Indeed, some people think that tense muscles are a sign of strength. They're wrong. Tense muscles are really a sign of wasted energy. Learning to relax is not learning to be lazy; on the contrary, it is learning how to use energy for important things.
Muscle groups around the head, including the face, neck, and shoulders, are generally more likely to tense up under stress. In some people, tenseness comes to the arms, hands, chest, stomach, and especially the back, which also involves the hips. In some situations-for example, when driving-the legs and feet are likely to tense up. Pay attention to which muscle groups become tense when you're under stress. When you feel them become tense in the future, you'll recognize that you're under stress and you will be better able to relax.
Just as you exercise daily to gain fitness, you need to relax progressively to become good at relaxing. The advantage of learning progressive relaxation is that it doesn’t require special clothes or shoes; it can be done just about anywhere; and once you get good at it, you can employ the techniques whenever things become stressful. Then, while everyone around you is stressed out, you will be able to remain relaxed and in control.
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