Becca
Well known member
We all know relaxing is good for us. In fact, for many people, learning to genuinely relax is key to overcoming TMS. This subforum talks about one major, universal relaxation technique: laughing. But there are countless other ways we can reduce the stress in our lives and relax.
What does that even mean, relax? To me, being relaxed means being at home with myself, being present/not worrying about past/future events, not focusing on symptoms (or their causes), and overall feeling content (or God forbid, feeling happy!).
I've found music (singing and drumming in particular) to be incredibly relaxing. These two activities, I've discovered, also keep me in a relaxed state long after they're over. After I drum, even if it's just for a few minutes, I feel light and focused and free from worry for hours. This, I think is the best sort of relaxation: it's highly effective. I'm highly relaxed around certain friends (I feel comfortable with who I am, and I'm happy) but that relaxed state doesn't always have the longer-lasting effects drumming or singing does.
I'm a huge believer in finding what works for you. That being said, it is undoubtedly very helpful to hear about the ways others have relaxed, and try some of those out yourself. The key is being able to let go if a particular technique doesn't work for you. That's okay. Bottom line, it doesn't matter how you relax. Just make sure you have something in your life that makes you relaxed – whatever that means for you.
So, what relaxation techniques, practices, activities, etc work for you? Or in very simple terms: what do you do to relax?
What does that even mean, relax? To me, being relaxed means being at home with myself, being present/not worrying about past/future events, not focusing on symptoms (or their causes), and overall feeling content (or God forbid, feeling happy!).
I've found music (singing and drumming in particular) to be incredibly relaxing. These two activities, I've discovered, also keep me in a relaxed state long after they're over. After I drum, even if it's just for a few minutes, I feel light and focused and free from worry for hours. This, I think is the best sort of relaxation: it's highly effective. I'm highly relaxed around certain friends (I feel comfortable with who I am, and I'm happy) but that relaxed state doesn't always have the longer-lasting effects drumming or singing does.
I'm a huge believer in finding what works for you. That being said, it is undoubtedly very helpful to hear about the ways others have relaxed, and try some of those out yourself. The key is being able to let go if a particular technique doesn't work for you. That's okay. Bottom line, it doesn't matter how you relax. Just make sure you have something in your life that makes you relaxed – whatever that means for you.
So, what relaxation techniques, practices, activities, etc work for you? Or in very simple terms: what do you do to relax?
