Relaxation technique as a way to reduce stress 

This will help you begin to change the way you think, feel and act.
Visit it any time you want to boost your self-belief, to relax, and to regain control of your life and
direction.
Print this page and put it above your mirror, above your bed, above your desk, anywhere you'll see it
every day.
Make time - actually schedule some time in your planner or diary to do this. It will dramatically improve
your mood, attitude, and approach to life, and therefore what you get from life.
Positive suggestion and visualization, combined with deep relaxation, is an easy way to release/reduce
stress.
Just going through this relaxation exercise alone will help to change and improve the way you feel. If you
combine the relaxation techniques with a repeated script of positive statements, such as the 'I am' script
below, you will begin change the way you think, and feel, and act, and all that life offers as a result.
The more you use the relaxation exercise and say or hear the script, then the greater and more
sustainable will be the effect.
The time it takes to change depends on different people. Stick with it and it will become easier, more
natural, more enjoyable, and it will work.

about relaxation, scripts and self-help

The use of scripts while in a deeply relaxed state is an age-old method of gaining and maintaining control
over our personal feelings and behaviors.
Relaxation combined with positive 'self-talk' enables self-help.
The use of scripts or strong statements while in a deeply relaxed state enables a 'conditioning' effect on
our subconscious.
Changing our subconscious - our feelings and beliefs - increases our sense of calm and well-being, and
also enables change in our conscious thoughts and behaviors. It's that simple.
Some people find it easier than others to relax deeply. It comes with practice.
If you find it difficult, allow yourself more time when going through the relaxation exercise. Create or put
yourself into a quiet relaxing calm environment. Shut out noise and distractions. Lie down rather than sit.
When relaxing and emptying your mind it is natural for thoughts to arise - in which case simply
acknowledge them gently and let them go - visualize them floating away like a balloon into the distance.
Your ability to empty your mind and relax, free from thoughts, will improve with practice.
When you practice, you will increase the ease with which you can relax, and then you will find that you
no longer need such a quiet environment. You will even find that you can achieve a deeply relaxed state
in quite noisy, stressful environments. Even sitting at a desk at school moments before taking an exam.
Deep relaxation alone is good for the mind and body, without the use of scripted statements. Combining
deep relaxation with good positive scripts is a powerful method of achieving greater happiness and for
making positive personal change.
What I'm advocating here is the use of the same basic methodology - deep relaxation, combined
with repeating strong statements - to achieve powerful personal change for the good, in this case,
stress reduction.
relaxation exercise

1. Sit or lie down comfortably. Properly comfortably. Straighten your back, put your
shoulders back to open your rib-cage.
2. Relax your shoulder muscles particularly. Relax your whole body, and empty your
mind.
3. Close your eyes (obviously open them when you need to read the next stage).
Take ten deep, slow breaths. Breathe from the pit of your stomach and feel your
lungs filling.
4. Focus on your breathing. Feel it getting deeper and slower. Feel yourself relaxing
and any tension drifting away.
5. Relax your shoulders and neck again.
6. Visualize yourself being happy, succeeding, winning, being loved, laughing,
feeling good.
7. Relax your forehead, your mouth and your eyes.
8. Allow a gentle smile to appear on your face as you feel a calmness enter your
mind.
9. Then say (out load ideally) the words below to yourself: (Here is an example of
an “I am” statement, but you can make up your own that reinforces the thoughts
that are causing you stress and tension)

i am

I am a good person.

I have integrity.
Whatever life puts before me will be useful experience that will make me stronger,
wiser, and more tolerant.
I am capable of handling difficult situations.
I have great motivation. I can do this. (Envision yourself completing the task at hand
and doing well)
I am successful. I have been successful before and I will continue to be successful. I
deserve to be successful.
I am a hard worker for my achievements.
I am a rightful earner of my accomplishments
I am fair and just.
I am a good person. I am.