Learning how to relax can greatly improve your health and well-being. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to introduce more relaxation into your everyday life. If you don’t learn to manage your stress, stress will manage you, and left unchecked, stress can be draining, exhausting, cause anxiety, and may even create health issues.

All of us look for ways to counter stress on a regular basis, sometimes without even being aware of it. Some of us go to the gym to work off stress. Others go to the pub and try to drink stress away. There are the couch potatoes that zone out in front of the TV to eliminate stress, and then there are those who use smoking or drugs as the answer. But drinking, smoking, or drugs are toxic and can be damaging to your body and mind.

The key to finding true relaxation is balance. If you are use to a hectic lifestyle, you may feel that relaxing might make you lose your edge. You may also be addicted to the effects of
adrenaline, and find it problematic to relax. But remember your body can’t remain on high alert all the time. It will eventually lead to burn out, and possibly physical ailments.

So, the best time to discover how to bring more peace and relaxation into your life is before the lack of it becomes a problem. Practice ways to relax anytime you get a chance, or whenever you feel the need to release stress.

Here are some effective relaxation positions. You have probably seen some of them before. Some are variations used in yoga exercises, and are very helpful in reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.

1. Legs Across a Chair
Begin by getting a chair. Now lay on your back on the floor, and place your legs on the seat in a sideways position. Make sure the chair is right up against the bend in your knees. This is good for the lower back. It also allows your whole body to let go of tensions and your muscles to begin to relax. Slow down your breathing too. If you really want to go deep into this relaxation position, try covering your eyes with a moist warm towel or cucumbers slices.

2. Bottom Against a Wall
Next, put the chair aside and move your buttocks up to the base of a wall and extend your legs straight up the wall. Make sure your bottom is as close to the base of the wall as possible, and that the small of your back is flat against the floor. You can place your arms straight out on either side, or just keep them by your sides. Again, keep your breathing slow, or do some breathing exercises. The point is to do whatever feels most relaxing to you. There is no right or wrong way.

3. Knees Against Your Chest
Now bring your knees down close to your chest. Hold your legs to your chest with your hands if you can. That really helps stretch the lower back. If it feels more relaxing to you, just keep your
knees in a bent position as close to your chest as possible. Close your eyes, and breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Do whatever makes you feel more relaxed.

4. Blanket Under Shoulder Blades
Now here’s the last one. Slowly move away from the wall. Don’t jump up quickly, that is counterproductive to everything you just did. Instead, roll over on your side, and use your arms to push yourself up into a sitting position. Now take a blanket, towel or cloth and roll it into the shape of a log. Place it on the floor and lay back on the cloth so that it’s horizontally straight across your shoulder blades. You can increase the range of this position by stretching your arms out on either side, tucking the small of your back against the floor, pulling your knees up in a bent position and placing your feet flat on the floor. Most often, stress and tension gets stuck in your neck, shoulders and lower back. This relaxation position really helps to release those stress knots that can form in those areas.

There you have it. Simple, easy positions to help release stress. Remember, when you’re done, don’t get up quickly. Roll over on your side, and use your hands and arms to push yourself up into
a sitting position, and then continue to get up slowly. Do any or all of the positions whenever you get a chance, and share them with a friend. To your health!

Practicing certain meditation can be used to provide you with a great deal of relaxation and stress relief. Anyone looking to free themselves from stress and anxiety should try these simple meditation techniques.

Breathing

Breathing is the very mechanism of life and can be used as a very effective tool in meditation leading you to blissful relaxation. The first thing you need to do is sit down in a comfortable setting – no you don’t need to sit cross-legged on the floor – close your eyes and start breathing through your nose deliberately yet silently while you count to three. Then exhale – also through the nose. But now you should be counting to six, thus breathing out twice as much as you take in. Repeat this for several minutes concentrating on practicing to breathe in on a three count and breathe out on a six count always through your nose.

Breath Concentration

The second technique is also an easy one. While you are seated with your eyes closed, breathe normally through your nose. Place all your attention on your breath, concentrating on following it through your nose, into your throat and down to your chest. Then concentrate on following it back up as it passes through your chest, into your throat and out through your nose. Since you are concentrating on following your breath, you will be paying attention to its flow and not thinking about anything at the moment. Your thoughts will slow down producing a natural peaceful state of mind that with repeated use will heighten your experience of relaxation.

Breathing up your spine

Again, sit down with your eyes closed and breed normally through your nose. However, while inhaling concentrated on her breath beginning at the base of your spine and moving up all the way to the top of your head. Visualize your breath at the top your head and simply exhale. You did not visualize anything beyond this while you exhale or force anything to happen. Just let the focus of your mind follow your breath from the base of your spine all away up and out the top of your head, which is known as the crown chakra. This is where repetition is a vital part because you may not feel anything in the beginning. Yet, with repeated use you’ll start to feel a tingling sensation that should be quite pleasurable. This particular technique is going to require a little more practice if you are to be successful at awakening what’s called your kundalini, a form of spiritual energy.

I Am, I Said

This technique includes the affirmation of existence. When sitting with eyes closed, silently repeat to yourself each time you inhale, “I am.” When exhaling, focus on existing in that moment, concentrating on the moment and not thinking of anything else. While concentrating on the simple act of being, do not add anything into the effort other than just existing not as a someone or something. You are aiming for a “feeling,” not a thought that. You exist beyond all -simply notice the feeling beyond thought that you exist.

These techniques are designed to produce great relaxation especially when conducted on a regular daily basis. Take 15-30 minutes per day to sit back and relax through simple meditation.