Relaxation techniques To Calm Your Mind

Faith Mysticism

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Monday, July 18, 2011, 17:57

Relaxation is something that all of us look forward for. Relaxation has a powerful impact on the body and the mind and fills one with energy and new life. It is absolutely essential in times of illness and as well as when one is in good health.

Here are few relaxation techniques to keep you relieved of stress and calm your mind.

Observing the breath-To observe the breath is one of the easiest and harmless of all breath exercises. Though it seems to be simple, it is one of the most powerful relaxation methods to slow down the chattering of the mind.

Posture-It can be practised while lying down, standing or sitting, while the best way to do is while sitting. The body should be relaxed with the back straight.

Method-Feel the flow of breath through the nostrils. Do not try to control or interfere with it. Just go with the rhythm of the breath. It will gradually bring down the speed of the mind and usher in peace. Do not also mind if the mind perceives objects. It does not matter as the mind is controlled automatically when the breath is observed.

It instills positive feelings and confidence.

Prayer

Prayer helps unlock the deep stillness beneath the chattering mind. It helps in connecting to the peace with in. It is one of the age old relaxation tips. By just praying, one just gives up worrying and looks for peace which is within. Swami Madhurananda in his, “Effortless Meditation," says that as one progresses in the act of praying, one will understand that the peace one experiences has its source in one's own being.

Prayer is one of the potent relaxation techniques which, instills a sense of calmness, and soothes the heart.

Chanting

Chanting mantras or the names of God can slow down the speeding mind. The mind that is fragmented slowly becomes one pointed and one experiences peace. Chants work better when done with faith. Faith in itself opens up to a positive outlook to life. It is an attempt to negate the negativities and instilling peace. It is one of the important of age old relaxation techniques.

Savasana

This is one of the relaxation methods in Yoga, a Yoga posture which brings about deep relaxation. Sometimes it may get one to sleep. Swami Madhurananda in his, “Effortless meditation," instructs that one should not prevent oneself from getting into sleep while performing this asana. He says that deep sleep itself is very relaxing.

Walking meditation

When the body is exerted the mind is extended. Walking either fast or slow helps in bringing down the thought flow. While in slow walking the mind may take sometime to settle, fast walking helps in reducing the thought flow fast. After sometime when the thought flow is lessened, one can resort to slow walking.

Observing the mind

Observing the mind or looking at the mind can still it immediately. Whatever one's train of thoughts is, without involving and indulging in the mind's ways, just stepping aside and looking at it, makes the mind still. The endless flow of thoughts is cut off and one can experience peace. This is basically being bringing about awareness in the working of the mind which, cuts the flow of thoughts.

Any of these relaxation techniques may be followed or could be changed anytime with another relaxation method. The objective of doing these is to calm your mind and be relaxed by realising the peace within.