From The Little Book of Relaxation and Stress Reduction to a Computer Screen Near You...

As I mentioned before, I have started this book called "The Little Book of Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Simple, Daily Practices That Can Really Change Your Life" by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., and Patrick Fanning.

I have only done one little lesson from the book and this particular lesson was not new knowledge, but highlighted a simple practice you can do in your life and really change how you feel. I know it really helped me last night when I was feeling overwhelmed with all of the changes happening in my life.

Part One of this book is labeled "Relax Your Body." I will add the written text (word for word) from the first part called, Body Check-in because it is only two short pages.

How relaxed are you at this moment in time? Where is the tension in your body? If you're like most people, you're probably more aware of your bank balance or the time of day than you are of your own body, even though you're riding around in it. And that's the problem, isn't it? You've been treating your body like a junk car that gets you from one place to another, instead of treating it like a precious temple enshrining your existence.

Your body can actually tell you more about relaxation than any book can. It knows volumes about your unique states of tension and release. All you have to do is turn your attention within, and quietly listen.

Remember to thank your body for keeping you alive and informed, for serving you despite all the times you've ignored its needs. Do something special for our body today: take a bubble bath, get a manicure, use some hand lotion, or wear your most comfortable clothes. Keep checking in with your body. It will tell you truths you need to know, secrets you cannot hear from any other source.

From time to time today, pause in a quiet spot and close your eyes. Allow your breathing to slow and deepen. Ask your body, "Where are you tense?" Scan your body for any tight neck or back muscles, sore joints, tiny aches and pains in your arms or legs, little twitches around your eyes, or places where you are hunched up to protect tender spots.

As you find each twitch, contraction or distortion thank your body for showing it to you. Remember that all tension is muscular tension, and all muscle contraction is self-produced, even if you aren't aware of producing it. So, once you become aware of the tension, you can begin to let the tension go. Focus on each area for a moment, exploring the tightness or soreness, even exaggerating it a little if you can. Exhale slowly and allow your tight back muscles to relax, your eyelids to stop twitching, your knees to stop aching. Tell your body, "It's okay, we don't need this tension or this soreness anymore. We can let it go."

I know it sounds cheesy but if you listen to your body and lay down and relax those parts of you where you feel tension it does help. Granted I have only done it for one day but it has made a huge difference for me. Personally I think this would be a good practice to do first thing in the morning (in bed) before getting up, and right before going to sleep. It is an easy time commitment to make to yourself and for the majority of you it will bring great benefits to your mood and your body.