Relaxation Therapy

Relaxation therapy is used to lower stress and anxiety. The goal is to use the power of the mind and body to attain a sense of relaxation.

It focuses on repeating a sound, word, or prayer.

Relaxation therapy lowers the metabolism and makes a person feel relaxed. Relaxation therapy can help treat chronic pain and insomnia.

A deep technique of relaxation focuses on relaxing both the mind and the body. Some of the types of meditation include:

• In biofeedback method, an instrument is used to observe certain changes in the body. These might be skin temperature or brain waves. The person uses that feedback information to try to relax deeply.
• In yoga or walking meditation, physical discipline is used to focus the body and mind. Controlled breathing and slow, conscious movements and postures are used.
• In mindfulness meditation, a person concentrates on body sensations and thoughts that occur in that moment. The person learns to monitor sensations and thoughts without judging them.
• In autogenic training, a person imagines being in a peaceful place with pleasant body sensations. The person focuses on the body and tries to make parts of the body feel heavy, warm, or cool. Breathing is centered and the heartbeat is regulated.
• In progressive muscle relaxation, a person focuses on tensing and relaxing each of the major muscle groups
• In transcendental meditation, a person focuses on a sound or thought. A word, mantra, or sound is repeated many times.

Self-control meditation is a reduced form of progressive muscle relaxation. In paced respiration, the person breathes gradually and deliberately. In deep breathing, the person takes a deep breath, holds it for 3 to 5 seconds, and then slowly releases it. This sequence is repeated several times. Brief methods are frequently used when the person faces anxiety or stress.

Music Relaxation therapy:

Music Relaxation therapy can be one of the most soothing or nerve wracking experiences available. Listening to music does wonder to lessen stress. Music therapy has always been a great healer.

Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of tension, working on many levels at once. Listen to the music that you feel comfortable. Many professionals suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us.

Music was found to decrease heart rates and to promote higher body temperature - a sign of the onset of relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy is more efficient than doing relaxation therapy alone.

Choose music with a slow rhythm. Music that has repeating or cyclical pattern is found to be efficient in most people. If you need inspiration after a day of work, go for a faster music rather than slow calming music. Concentrate on the silence between the notes in the music; this keeps you from analyzing the music and makes relaxation more complete.

Take a walk with your favorite music playing on the walkman. Inhale and exhale in tune with the music. This is a great stress reliever by combining exercise and music.

Therefore music therapy is one type of relaxation therapy to relieve from stress and to get a sense of relaxation.