ABSTRACT

209The mind has an amazing ability to control the processes of the body. Relaxation methods have been effective in helping people stay calm when they feel anxious, reduce tension, and even enhance performance in difficult circumstances. Whether in the context of mindfulness meditation, prayer, guided imagery, relaxation training, or self-hypnosis, all of the methods are best applied in a relatively quiet environment—one without too many distractions, in which you can feel both comfortable and focused. You will want to experiment with a number of these strategies in order to determine which ones work best for you.