Relaxation

Over the years, we have found that relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relaxation doesn't work for a large sub-group of people. Part of the reasons why include, people are already focused on their bodies, albeit in a negative sense, and it is so easy to simply divert our attention back to our symptoms. Also, progressive muscle relaxation requires us to tense our muscles and then to relax them. Many of us are so tense, all we do is let go back to our normal state of tension!

It seems many people find the basic meditation techniques to be easier. The practice of meditation not only helps us relax by relaxing the mind first, but it also teaches us about our thinking patterns and how we can control them. For those of us who dissociate, meditation can also be a great technique to help us become familiar with different states of consciousness and how we can control them!!

next: Breathing Techniques