Stress Home > Think Stress Away > Introduction Store . Search . Newsletter . Downloads . Advertisers . Affiliates
 
 
Sponsored Links
 

Stress Management Training

Learn how to master the stresses that come with a successful, high-powered career...

The contents of this website in course format, the Stress Management Masterclass helps you cope with the deep structural problems that cause stress in your working life.

As well as teaching some useful relaxation techniques, it helps you learn to think clearly under pressure. More than this, its unique approach helps you deal at source with the stresses that can otherwise plague your working life.

More >>
 

Relax Quickly and Completely with Hypnosis Downloads

Hypnosis Downloads offer calming relaxation MP3s that you can quickly download and play on your PC or MP3 player.

Highly Recommended by Mind Tools.

More >>

ore >>
Clickhheree to find out how to sponsor this page.
 
Who We HelpManaging StressAbout UsOnline StoreContact


What This Section Gives You
Relaxation Techniques from Mind Tools

 

We all know the feeling of sickness in our stomach before an important presentation or performance. We have all experienced the sweaty palms, the raised heart rate, and the sense of agitation that we feel as these events approach. We have all felt our hearts pounding, and the tension and anger that come when we face severe frustration of our goals.

 

Introducing the Tools
This section gives you some good techniques for managing the fight-or-flight response that lies behind these feelings. “Imagery” is the first of these. As well as being a powerful mental rehearsal technique, it is also useful for relaxing when you are under pressure. Meditation, Self-hypnosis and use of Relaxation Tapes are also good ways of relaxing.

 

Finally, “Deep Breathing, Progressive Muscular Relaxation, and the Relaxation Response” are useful physical techniques for managing muscular tension.

 

Tip - Biofeedback in Stress Management:
We can see the effectiveness of these tools directly using biofeedback devices. These are electronic sensors that measure your stress levels and feed them back to you.

 

One of the most common approaches to biofeedback involves measuring the electrical conductance of your skin. We have already seen that the more you are under pressure, the more you sweat. Because sweat is largely composed of water, the more stressed you are, the higher the electrical conductivity of your skin.

 

One of the pleasures of using biofeedback devices is that you can actually see the relaxation techniques take effect. You can observe for yourself the real effect of techniques that can otherwise appear to be nebulous and theoretical.

 

For example, later on in this section we will discuss imagery. With biofeedback devices, you can see the objectively measured reduction in stress that happens when you create a mental image of relaxing in a garden. Similarly, you can measure the increase in stress you feel when you imagine something like being chased by sharks in a swimming pool.

 

One source of biofeedback devices is the Tools for Wellness web site.


 

Where to go from here: Download and Print Next article
Directory: Find out how to see your site here...
   
Other links: Click here to find out about reciprocal links with Mind Tools....
 

 

Warning:
Stress can cause severe health problems and, in extreme cases, can cause death. While these stress management techniques have been shown to have a positive effect on reducing stress, they are for guidance only, and readers should take the advice of suitably qualified health professionals if they have any concerns over stress-related illnesses or if stress is causing significant or persistent unhappiness. Health professionals should also be consulted before any major change in diet or levels of exercise.

 

Google
  Web http://www.mindtools.com
Mind Tools
Products & Services
Stress Management Tools & Training
Work Overload Tools & Training
Other Recommended
Products & Services
Free Meditation-
"Secret Garden"
 
 
 


All Rights Reserved

References

For requests to reprint or reproduce material from this site, please contact our Permissions Center.

Store     |     Search     |     Newsletter     |     Downloads     |     Advertisers     |     Affiliates

Learn essential career skills with our sister site, mindtools.com.