Treat Your Body To Some Zen With Progressive Muscle Relaxation
The Benefits Of Progressive Muscle Relaxation
The immediate and obvious benefit of PMR is that you will feel good in the moment. However, it can also do things like:
- Fight anxiety. Because BMC Psychiatry states that PMR can fight the body’s physical reaction to anxiety, it’s a good idea to do it any time you sense a trigger coming on. If you can make your body feel calm, that will signal to your brain that you are safe.
- Sleep better. PMR can be particularly useful if you struggle to relax at bedtime. If you lead a really busy life, with little to no time to unwind before bedtime, it’s hard to shift into your parasympathetic nervous system. PMR empowers you to do so on command.
- Improve your workouts. You might think you want to be in fight or flight mode for exercise, but it’s actually best to calm your body. When your muscles are relaxed, you’re less likely to injure yourself. Plus, PMR can regulate your breathing and send oxygen through the body, which is ideal for a good workout.
Once you get in the practice of PMR, it can be an invaluable tool to use leading up to or following stressful events.