Relaxation Exercises

Here are a couple of easy relaxation exercises that may help if you're feeling anxious or stressed.

• Sit or lie in a comfortable place.

• Loosen any tight clothing and close your eyes.

• Let any disturbing thoughts slip from your mind. Do this by paying attention to your breathing - which should be deep and slow.

• Think to yourself R-E (breathe in) L-A-X (breathe out).

• If you feel any part of your body is particularly tense, tighten that set of muscles for 3 seconds and then release them quickly. Repeat this 2 or 3 times until the tenseness is replaced by a feeling of warmth and relaxation.

• Sit or stand with eyes closed, concentrating solely upon what you're doing.

• Join your hands together at waist level.

• Take a deep breath while slowly raising your hands to the full extent above you - stretch out.

• Slowly lower your hands while breathing out.

• Repeat once more.