Even if stress is seen as something that need to be avoided, the key is to learn how to mange it, because some stresses are unavoidable.

A person’s body and mind are interlinked, thus stress can affect both the physical and emotional well-being. Stress can produce headaches, soar muscles in the neck, increased spasticity and increased heart rate, just to name a few physical symptoms that stress can induce. When left unchecked, more sever symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, poor concentration and poor problem-solving abilities can appear.

Relaxation techniques can aid individual to control stress, allowing them to have a better overall control of their lives and well-being. However, learning how to properly relax takes practice, and it implies learning to take a passive attitude and let go of thoughts that drift in and out of one’s mind.

The next steps should be practiced until they become second nature:

- first, find a place where you won’t be disturbed

- lie down or sit with your arms, head and feet supported

- close your eyes, and if you want, turn on some soft soothing music

- focus on your breathing – breath deeply, steadily and smooth trough your stomach

- relax your muscles by working systematically trough your body; tell yourself to relax your feet, calf muscles, thighs, abdomen, chest, arms, hands neck and head, allowing your body to become heavier with each breath

- imagine yourself in a pleasant setting, guide yourself trough a fantasy trip to a place where you feel calm and safe, and explore this place with all your senses

- once you feel that you spent enough time there, leave knowing that you can revisit at any time

- open your eyes and enjoy the calm.