Stress Center Peer Support

Originally posted by draggingsticks:
Hi i have this problem too before, i think since relaxation is a new feeling, we are not used to it and it scares us.

I'm so glad I came upon your e-mail. I'm new in the program and it seem scary to me too. Thanks Etta Blair

Hi,I agree with Etta Blair we are not use to this.for the frist session it was kind off hard to do it. What I did it was to do it twice atthe same time

I'm I glad I stumbled on this post as well. Like Reved, my thoughts and mind wander as I am trying to the relaxation technique. Plus I am very tired at the end of the day so I am thinking of what went on during the day.

The relaxation can be very difficult in the beginning because 1 we aren't comfortable with it. Our body is giving us anxious energy and that energy is saying go go go. Relaxation is the opposite of that urge.

Secondly, our expectations can interfer as well. We start to do the relaxation and we are saying things like, "The palpitations aren't going away", "I'm not calming down", "this isn't working" and this causes anxiety.

Don't try to master it all at once. Relaxation is not a black or white thing. In the beginning you might feel a very slight bit better but this is better than nothing at all. It will build after awhile. Just focus on putting the relaxation cd on and then praise yourself for going through it no matter how much you were able to be with it. Partial accomplishments are still accomplishments.


Mike

Well said Mike.

Thank you. Just note this doesn't mean i am a master at this. I still have problem relaxing too.


Mike

Just came across this and haven't read all the responses but I am thinking that if you aren't physically active than you may have a lot more trouble relaxing.

Especially having nervous energy, all that energy really does need to go somewhere! So maybe taking a walk, or even doing 50 jumping jacks in place before you "relax" will make it so much easier.

That's a very good point Shif. Muscle tension exercises help out good but actual physical exercise would help out more I'd think.


Mike

I have difficulty relaxing as well. I had it explained well to me once. Being Anxious feels "normal" to me as I have been this way for so long. When I am "relaxed," it feels foreign and therefore makes me anxious. I have learned to respond to this anxousness by saying "it is ok to be happy and relaxed."

Hey, Dreamer! Umm, I do know what you mean about breathing Lucinda's way making u more anxious and stressed. That is why when I first started listening to the program relaxation exercise, I chose to think positively. Truth is, anything could make u nervous if you let it. I chose not to let it, even though at first, I had high expectations of myself to get real good at breathing. but, i would just encourage u to try out different breathing exercises. Just be hopeful for I believe there is indeed a relaxation exercise out there that would work for u. Don't give up!

The Lord will follow you wherever u go, if u choose to accept him into ur life, and he will look out for you all the while.