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Pharmacy Links

THE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF ANXIETY: THE POSTURE FOR THE EXERCISES-USE A SYMMETRICAL POSTURE AND THE LYING POSTURE

April 29, 2009

When we go to sleep, we usually lie on our side or curl up comfortably. People often tell me that they have been practising relaxation like this. These are good positions for sleep, but we are aiming for deep mental relaxation which is different from sleep. Whether we lie down, or sit, or squat, our mental relaxation is more effective if we retain a symmetrical posture with our arms and legs in similar positions on each side of our body.

The Lying Posture-This is the basic posture and the easiest position for our exercises. We simply lie on our back with our arms by our side. Young people do not need a pillow. Adults can use a low pillow, but the lower the better, as lying quite flat enhances the feeling of abandonment—the letting go—which is such an important part of mental relaxation.

At the start a couch is quite suitable; but as soon as a real feeling of relaxation is attained it is wise to transfer to the harder surface of the floor. This is not quite so comfortable, and the relaxation achieved comes more from the mind and less from the body.

Lying on the sand on the beach is good; and the absence of clothes aids the feeling of abandonment. However, when we combine our exercises with sun-bathing, we want to

distinguish between the two things. The mental exercises require controlled activity of the mind, but in sun-bathing we just let ourselves doze off, relaxed and uncontrolled.

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