Relaxation activity

Learning to release your stress can help you cope with medical conditions and regain your sense of control. Visualisation, breathing exercises, and yoga are three simple activities that can help you relax. If you set aside 10-20 minutes per day to practice, either as soon as you wake up, or before going to bed, it will help reduce the stress in your life.

Try the following exercise:

Step 1:

First sit down in a comfortable chair and imagine a spot below your belly button.

Step 2:

Now breathe into this spot and feel the air in your abdomen. Let the air fill you from your belly up to your lungs.

Step 3:

Put your hand on this spot and feel it swelling with air. Breathe in completely.

Step 4:

Next, starting from your lungs and moving down through your belly, slowly release the air just like a deflating balloon.

Step 5:

Let the air out completely, and pause a moment before taking your next breath. With every long slow breath, you should feel more relaxed.