Stress-LESS Tip 3 "Relaxation Through Self-Talk"

Steps to reducing stress in your life by Dr. Doris Raymond, PhD.

www.thestressmanagementstore.com

Self Talk

Talk to yourself. Be specific. Be positive. If you are prone to stiff muscles and maybe tight shoulders, talk to that area: “My left shoulder is relaxing” – repeating four times. Or, “my neck is relaxing”, again, repeating at least four times.

Scan your body and then pick out the areas that need talking to. Then, very specifically, talk to that part very slowly, usually one or two words on each exhale. Listen to yourself. If you are talking too fast, slow down. And the best watchwords are “lower, and slower.”

REMEMBER:

You can’t MAKE yourself relax – it can’t be done. You have to allow it to happen. Turn loose and let go. ALLOW yourself to relax. Go at YOUR rate and YOUR pace. Don’t try to relax the way someone else does. Everyone is different and everyone has to find what works for him or her.

Relaxing is not easy. If you’ve spent a lifetime building up to your stress level, don’t expect to change overnight. It takes practice. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll see results. The quicker you see results, the happier you’ll be.

Self talk is good. Try it.

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