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Simple Mental/Mind Relaxation Techniques Part 2

Are you having trouble controlling your thoughts and finding it difficult to let yourself float in the Full Body Scan Meditation or the Releasing Troubles and Worries Exercise?

WELL DON’T WORRY!!!!!!!

Here is a “Thought-Stopping” Exercise that can be used during either the Full Body Scan Meditation or the Releasing Troubles and Worries Exercise or when trying to get to sleep.

In thought-stopping, you would do this exercise FIRST. So lie on a yoga bed for the exercises or in bed to get to sleep.

Think about something that you know is worrying you and will keep you awake …… something troubling you that you will know your mind will churn over and make it difficult to relax or go to sleep.  Force your mind to concentrate on that issue or person e.g. the project at work is in trouble and you know your boss is going to get angry at you and the team. Turn this over in your mind again and again and then suddenly in your mind “Shout Out” STOP!!!!!!. Breath easily and try to relax …… if you feel the issue creeping back into your mind ….. repeat the STOP exercise again and again until your mind releases the thought.

This STOP exercise basically is forcing your brain to recognize when to stop thinking about something …. It abruptly interrupts the thought process and makes the brain shift its focus … this is where the relaxation technique, that you have chosen should now be used.

A number of sites on the internet offer some wonderful guided meditations, and alternative Relaxation Techniques. Below we have listed some of the techniques and their links:-

“SAFE HAVEN” – VISUALIZATION – Page 19 http://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn16/docs/Franklin_Relaxation_Therapist_Manual.pdf

QUICK RELAXATION STRATEGIES

https://www.k-state.edu/paccats/Contents/Stress/Quick%20Relaxation%20

Strategies.pdf

 

ABC GUIDED AUDIO MEDITATIONS

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/features/meditation-toolkit/audio-practice/4326674

 

Also read our blog “Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Psoriasis, Stressed about Psoriasis – Identify Your Stressors and Yours Stress Responses, Simple Physical Relaxation Techniques for Psoriasis Patients, Simple Mental/Mind Relaxation Techniques Part 1 – For Psoriasis Patients, Simple Mental/Mind Relaxation“

 

REFERENCES

1. National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP); Manage Stress Workbook; http://www.prevention.va.gov/mpt/2013/docs/managestressworkbook_dec2013.pdf
2. Relaxation Techniques for Health: What You Need To Know; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; https://nccih.nih.gov/sites/nccam.nih.gov/files/Get_The_Facts_Relaxation_Techniques_02-06-2015.pdf
3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation; http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF3944.pdf
4. Manzoni G.M. et al.; Relaxation training for anxiety: a ten-years systematic review with meta-analysis ; BMC Psychiatry 2008, 8:41 doi:10.1186/1471-244X-8-41
5. Franklin C.L. et al.: Relaxation Enhancement Therapist Manual; http://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn16/docs/Franklin_Relaxation_Therapist_Manual.pdf