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:

Visualisation

Step 1:

Close your eyes and picture a place where you feel at peace. This could be your favourite beach, or mountain or even your own cosy bedroom. If it helps, look at a picture.

Step 2:

Now imagine yourself in that peaceful place and try to empty your mind. Think over and over again of a word that makes you relaxed. If you cannot think of a word try ‘calm’ or ‘peace’.  Keep repeating your word to yourself as you breathe in & out. Whenever your mind wanders, just focus on your word and let go of everything else.

Step 3:

Stay in your peaceful place for as long as you like. Then open your eyes and sit quietly for a moment, before you resume your daily activities.