Types of Relaxation Techniques

A) Visualization - is a method of relaxing the mind by picturing a relaxing scene. This may involve imagining spending time in a safe place, picturing a relaxing location such as a beach or a meadow, or imagining releasing stress. 

B) Muscle relaxation - can involve passive progressive muscle relaxation (consciously allowing each muscle group to relax), progressive muscle relaxation (progressively tightening and releasing muscles), or using other methods such as physical movement, massage, or stretching to release muscle tension.

C) Sensory relaxation - involves using the senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste) to relax. This may include using your imagination to picture various sensations, or experiencing different sensations to induce relaxation. It is possible to experience sensations by listening to music, sampling different foods, using aromatherapy, applying heat and cold, etc. 

D) Creative expression relaxation - is the use of creativity to relax. This may involve art, dance, music, writing, putting something together, crafts, or a variety of other creative pursuits.

Source:  http://www.nerdtests.com/mq/uttake.php?id=43458

Easy Relaxation Techniques

Each individual will have unique ways to relax. The relaxation techniques listed here are options that you can try. There is no right or wrong way to relax, and no one technique that will work for everyone, so find out which ones work the best for you.

Relaxation is a skill. This means that relaxation is something that can be learned and practiced, it is something we are not necessarily just born knowing how to do (not everyone knows how to relax), and we often are not good at it at first. Each person has the ability to learn how to relax, but not everyone will relax the same way.

Everyone can learn to relax. This means that even if some of these techniques don't work for you, at least one will! You will be able to find some way to relax, and with practice, relaxation will become easier.

Here is an overview of some of the relaxation techniques you might want to try:

Progressive Relaxation - progressively tensing and then relaxing muscle groups - by progressive, I mean one muscle group after another... the relaxation progresses through the body. Passive progressive relaxation is the act of relaxing muscles progressively without tensing them first. If you are already very tense, this method might be best (tightening up already-tight muscles can cause muscle cramping).

Physical Techniques - includes progressive muscle relaxation; also stretching, yoga, tai chi, pilates and other physical techniques.

Visualization - visualizing something for relaxation or making positive changes, such as picturing in your mind a relaxing scene.

Guided Imagery - the process of being guided through calming or helpful mental images, such as calming scenes, the healing process, or positive changes.

Autogenics - imagining that your limbs are warm and heavy, your heart rate is slow and steady, and your forehead is cool.

Meditation - focusing the mind on a word, phrase, or idea and letting go of other thoughts with an attitude of passive acceptance for relaxation or making positive changes.

Sensory - experiencing or imagining the sensations of sight, sound, smell, taste, and/or touch.

Deep breathing - breathing slowly and regularly and taking sufficiently deep breaths.

Other methods - exercise, massage, hypnosis, self-hypnosis, crafts, hobbies, dance, music, conscious mental rest, artwork, walking..... etc.

The best way to find out which relaxation methods work best for you is to try them. Guided relaxation audio allows you to follow along and be guided through a relaxation technique. You may not feel any different at first, but by doing a relaxation technique you experience all the health benefits of relaxation!

Source: http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/relaxation-techniques.html