Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-what-you-need-to-know?nav=govd Relaxation techniques are practices to help bring about the body’s “relaxation response,” which is the opposite of the stress response. The relaxation response is characterized by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. One relaxation technique, called progressive muscle relaxation, involves tensing different muscles in your body and then releasing the tension. Another technique, called guided imagery, involves picturing objects, scenes, or events that are associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in your body. The use of these techniques has increased in recent years. National survey data show that 6.4 percent of U.S. adults used guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation in 2022, compared to 3.8 percent in 2002.