RELAXING AT WORK

     Coffee breaks aren’t the only times when you can take
a moment for yourself. Experience has actually taught me
that coffee (or smoke) breaks can actually add to the stress
you feel when you’re at work.
     Some of the suggestions we’ve given you in this book
can certainly be practiced at work, but, unfortunately, others
cannot. Here’s a tried and true method to help you relax at
work.
     First and foremost, find a place to sit. Sit up straight
with your back against the back of your chair, your feet flat
on the floor, and your hands resting lightly on your thighs.
If possible, close your eyes. You may do the exercise
without closing your eyes, but closing your eyes will help
you relax a bit more. Do not clench your eyes shut. Let your
eyelids fall naturally.
     Breathe in slowly through your nose, counting to 5.
Hold the breath for a count of 5. Breathe out slowly,
counting to five. Repeat.
This exercise is performed by tensing and holding a set
of muscles for a count of 5, and then relaxing the set of
muscles for a count of 5.
     When you tense each muscle set, do it as hard as you
can without hurting yourself. When you release the hold, be
as relaxed as possible.
Begin by tensing your feet. Do this by pulling your feet
off the floor and your toes toward you while keeping your
heels on the floor. Hold for a slow count of 5. Release the
hold. Let your feet fall gently back. Feel the relaxation. Think
about how it feels compared to when you tensed the
muscles. Relax for a count of 5.
     Next tense your thigh muscles as hard as you can. Hold
for a count of 5. Relax the muscles and count to 5.
Tighten your abdominal muscles and hold for a count of
     5. Relax the muscles for a count of 5. Be sure you are
continuing to sit up straight.
Tense your arm and hand muscles by squeezing your
hands into fists as hard as you can. Hold for a count of 5.
Relax the muscles completely for a count of 5.
Tighten your upper back by pushing your shoulders
back as if you are trying to touch your shoulder blades
together. Hold for a count of 5. Relax for a count of 5.
Tense your shoulders by raising them toward your ears
as if shrugging and holding for a count of 5. Relax for a
count of 5.
     Tighten your neck first by gently moving your head
back (as if looking at the ceiling) and holding for 5. Relax for
5. Then gently drop your head forward and hold for 5. Relax
for a count of 5.
Tighten your face muscles. First open your mouth wide
and hold for 5. Relax for 5. Then raise your eye brows up
high and hold for 5. Relax for 5. Finally clench your eyes
tightly shut and hold for 5. Relax (with eyes gently closed)
for 5.
     Finish the exercise with breathing. Breathe in slowly
through your nose, counting to 5. Hold the breath for a
count of 5. Breathe out slowly, counting to five. Repeat 4
times. And that’s it!
     Perform this exercise whenever you need to relax,
whether it's on a plane or in a car or anyplace else you may
be sitting. Because this exercise may be very relaxing, it
should not be performed while driving.
     Over time, if performed regularly, this exercise will help
you recognize tension in your body. You will be able to relax
muscles at any time rather than performing the entire
exercise. Perform at least twice a day for long-term results.
You may develop your own longer relaxation exercise
by adding more muscle groups. Pinpoint your own areas of
tension then tense and relax these areas in the same way.
Maximize the relaxation benefits of this exercise by
visualizing a peaceful scene at the end of the exercise.
Visualize a scene - a place where you feel relaxed - in detail
for at least 5 minutes. Remember the happy place? Go
there and enjoy it!