I know that it seems like a contradiction of terms, but active relaxation is a real technique for getting rid of unwanted tension. Stress creates muscle tension so actively relaxing your muscles can really help clear your mind and ease your level of anxiety.

Hold the following positions for five seconds and focus on the sensation of muscle tightness. Then actively release the position and focus on the sensation of tension leaving the muscles. These moves can be done sitting at your desk, and I recommend doing them each a couple of times.
Lower body:
(Start with your right foot, then repeat on the left side)
- Scrunch your toes and point your toes inward
- Flex your toes and pull them toward your head
- Straighten your knee, so leg is parallel to the floor and tense your thigh, relax the leg back down
For your torso:
- Squeeze your bum
- Tense your stomach, make it feel tight like a ball
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together
To see what else you can do for your shoulders just read more
For your arms and shoulders:
- Make fists with both hands
- Squeeze your arms into your sides
- Raise your shoulders to your ears
For your face and neck:
- Squint your eyes and wrinkle your nose
- Pull your lips in
- Open your mouth as wide as you can
- Raise your eyebrows as high as you can
Now I know the facial "moves" are quite conspicuous, so they might be hard to get away with in a small office, but they are great for your car ride home. Once you tense and relax all these muscles, you should feel both an ease of body and mind. So go on, relax already.

Celestina
Great Plains
Givenchy
Wonderful!
1Yes, these are great. I do them often. I'd like to add though that.. you are not supposed to squeeze and then slooowly release.. it needs to be a squeeze for a few seconds.. and then immediate release so that you can feel the tension leaving:) its amazing
2Great ideas, I can use 'em. Also, funniest picture ever! I wonder what the directions the photographer gave the model sounded like. "You're a frustrated tiger, sweetheart! Make love to the camera! I want to see those eyes BUG! Now get ready to claw!"
3Nice!
4I absolutely love this blog post! I completely tried it while stressing out in class, and I must say i am relieved. That picture is pretty much what I looked like when my teacher announced that she is moving up the date for out 15pg term paper. Thank you so much! I cannot wait to read more.
5Good tips! I'll use them!
6Post New Comment
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