Tag: relaxation
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THE POWER OF YOGA: STRESS RELIEF AND INNER BALANCE
Numerous scientific investigations now validate what countless yoga enthusiasts have discovered: Be it for acute stress scenarios like childbirth or ongoing struggles with stress and anxiety, yoga proves to be an efficacious tool for soothing our nervous systems. Several factors contribute to yoga’s efficacy in managing stress and anxiety. While yoga might not resonate with…
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SIX PRESSURE POINTS TO HELP RELIEVE ANXIETY
Locate specific pressure points on your body that, when stimulated, can help with relieve anxiety temporarily. 1. Heavenly gate point – located in the upper shell of your ear, at the tip of the hollow area. Apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion for a couple minutes. Stimulate for relief of anxiety, stress and…
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BREATHING RETRAINING
1 – Hyperventilate: 60 to 90 seconds: Standing up, start breathing deeply and quickly as if you were blowing a balloon. Exhalations should be hard and forced. This is what you do when you hyperventilate 2 – Pay attention to the body: Sit down, close your eyes, and listen to your body. How does it…
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KRIPALU-STYLE YOGIC BREATHING
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate-Nostril Breath)* This breathing exercise can be practiced daily and/or during times when you feel anxious, stressed or exhausted. TIME: 5 to 10 minutes or until you feel relaxed. POSITION: Sit comfortably on the floor with spine erect and eyes closed. You can add a blanket around your waist to enhance groundedness and stability.…
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DOES SINGING PROMOTE RELAXATION?
A number of studies have documented the effects of singing on cardio-respiratory health. For example, one study reports that choir group singing improves heart rate variability, which is a significant predictor of cardiovascular health. Notably, decreased heart rate variability is linked to hypertension, heart failure and work stress, while increased heart rate variability indicates a…
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THE 10 MOST RELAXING SONGS*
*ACCORDING TO NEUROSCIENCE A study from MindLab International was conducted to investigate how much anxiety reduction participants experienced while listening to a specific song. Below is a list of the top 10 most relaxing songs, with the top one producing the highest level of relaxation.
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PRACTICE AWARENESS
Standing firm on your feet, head straight, feet shoulder apart: FEEL YOUR BALANCE: sense how your body shifts back and forth or side to side. Become aware of those minor movements. FEEL THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET: roll gently back and forth to emphasize the sensation of your feet against the ground. Focus on a…
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SIX RELAXATION TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE STRESS
Instructions: Try each one of those methods a few times before deciding to focus on the ones that suit you best. We also recommend practicing more than one techniques on a regular basis to get more benefits and avoid monotony. FOCUS ON THE BREATH Take long, slow, deep breaths (also known as diaphragmatic breathing). As…
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DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING FOR BEGINNERS
Diaphragmatic breathing is what natural/normal breathing is, and for example babies automatically breathe with their diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing helps: Decrease the work of breathing by slowing your breathing rate.Decrease oxygen demand.Help the lungs fill more efficientlyUse less effort and energy to breathe.Bonus: it also helps tone your abs :> PRACTICE: Lie on your back on…
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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
When we are mindful, we are more aware of our physical sensations, thoughts and feelings without getting lost in them. Rather, we perceive them for what they are. Mindfulness is based on the Buddhist meditation technique Vipassana. When we practice Vipassana we observe the world via the senses, which reduces ruminating thoughts and provides a…