Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Here are a few relaxation techniques commonly taught in CBT-I:

• Breathing exercises: These exercises typically involve taking slow, deep breaths. Research has demonstrated that focused breathing can increase slow heart rate and breathing, and

How it’s done: To nix tension from head to toe, close the eyes and focus on tensing and relaxing each muscle group for 2 to 3 seconds each. Start with the feet and toes, then move up to the knees, thighs, rear, chest, arms, hands, neck, jaw and eyes — all while maintaining deep, slow breat...

This popular technique systematically relaxes your muscle groups one at a time.

• Lie down and stretch out.
• Breathe in and tense the first muscle group, for example, your hands. Tense hard, but not to the point of pain. Hold for 4-10 seconds.
• Exhale and relax the musc...