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Rx to Relax

Chapter 32 of the book Self-Help Stuff That Works

by Adam Khan

WHEN YOU GET ANGRY, upset, anxious, tense, frustrated, or worried, adrenaline goes into your blood stream. It makes your heart beat faster, putting strain on your cardiovascular system. These strains add up, and later in life, things can go wrong because of it. Every time you are able to lessen the intensity of one of these feelings, it will benefit your health. It also makes life a more pleasant experience.

There's a very simple way to lower your adrenaline level: Relax. Here's how to relax on the spot:

  1. Breathe deeply. When you tense up, your breathing gets quicker, more shallow, and higher in the chest. You'll feel better right away, and your heart will slow down, if you'll just make your breathing more relaxed. Deeper. Slower. Sigh in a relaxed way.
  2. Loosen tensed muscles. Just about any time, but especially when you've got the adrenaline pumping, muscles tend to tighten, particularly muscles around your neck, upper back, and face. Pay attention to your muscles in those areas and when you find one that's contracting for no good reason, relax it. If at first you have trouble relaxing a muscle, tense it first, then relax it.
  3. Say the word "relax" to yourself. Make sure your inner voice is relaxing. Don't yell at yourself, "Relax!!" Say it soothingly.

THESE THREE TASKS are easy to do, can be done in the midst of your work, and will slow your heart down to a healthier level. When you become more relaxed, you think better, you're more creative, and you can use more of what you know " including what you know about human relations, so you'll get along with people better. Your life will be smoother and better.

This is one of those little habits many people have formed that serves them well throughout their lives. I hope you use it too.

Breathe deeply, loosen tensed muscles, and say to yourself, "Relax."

Help your friends relax too!Share this page with them.

Why do people in general (and you in particular) not feel happier than our grandparents felt when they had far fewer possessions and conveniences than we now have?
We've Been Duped


 


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What single thing can you do that will improve your attitude, improve the way you deal with others, and also improve your health? Find out here.
Where to Tap

Would you like to be emotionally strong? Would you like to have that special pride in yourself because you didn't whimper or whine or collapse when things got rough? There is a way, and it's not as difficult as you'd think.
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When some people get smacked around by life, they give in and let life run them over. But some people have a fighting spirit. What's the difference between these two and why does it make a difference? Find out here.
Fighting Spirit

next: Interest is Life

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, October 2). Rx to Relax, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 29 from https://www.healthyplace.com/self-help/self-help-stuff-that-works/rx-to-relax

Last Updated: March 31, 2016

Medically reviewed by Harry Croft, MD

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