Skip to main content 'Relaxation methods' is a broad term encompassing a range of relaxation options, such as deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness and clinical hypnotherapy.
Relaxation methods have been found to assist in reducing chronic pain, stress, depression and anxiety. They have also been found to improve the ability to cope with symptoms of endometriosis and can improve your overall quality of life. These methods are cost-effective and easy to source management options.
Step 1: Make yourself comfortable
Choose a quiet place to lie or sit down. If you are lying down, make sure that you are comfortable, lying on your back or your side, with a pillow under your head. If you are sitting, make sure that you can rest your head back against something for support (like a head rest). Turn your phone to silent and ensure that you won’t be interrupted by anyone or anything for several minutes. Do not drive a car or operate machinery while listening to the audio file.
Step 2: Have your device within easy reach
Place the device that you will be playing the audio file on next to you. Make sure that the volume is right for you and insert your headphones or earpieces if you are using them.
Step 3: Play the audio file
Tap on the link, rest your arms in your lap or by your sides and enjoy the next few minutes listening to the audio file.
Copyright Sonia Scharfbillig
Step 4: Reflection
Reflect on how listening to the audio file made you feel. If you feel positive, more calm and relaxed, consider listening to the audio file or a similar type regularly, as often as you feel you need to. Consider this to be an important part of your health routine and make the time each day or every few days to be guided through resting and rejuvenating your body. You might like to make a collection of different relaxation audio files so that you have a variety to choose from (there are many options online). Perhaps put a reminder in your phone to fit this into your health routine.
If, on reflection, you feel that this audio file did not make you feel positive, calm and relaxed, don’t worry. It may be that this type of relaxation was not helpful for you. We don’t all respond to relaxation methods in the same way. You might prefer to search online to find ways of relaxing that do not involve focussing on your body but involve focussing on your surroundings, or hearing soft music or particular sounds. There are many options online and it might just take you a bit more time to find one that suits you.
