Body Scan or Progressive Relaxation

The goal is to notice tension and to allow it to be released. Practitioners start at one end of their body, usually their feet, and work through the whole. They might tense and then relax muscles or they might visualize a wave moving over their body to release tension.

This technique is designed to allow your mind and body to sync by performing a mental scan of your body from the top of your head to the end of your toes.

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...