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Seeds for Change Wellness
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Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere Author: Andy Smith Source
Reiki Newsletter November 2009
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
Reiki Newsletter November 2009
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
7. Working with Others:
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
7. Working with Others:
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
7. Working with Others:
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.
Author: Andy Smith Source
Five Ways to Relax Anywhere
Sometimes you need to relax when you're out and about and it's not convenient to take
twenty minutes to lie down and relax totally: maybe on your way to a crucial appointment,
in an interview, giving a presentation, or any other situation normally regarded as highly
stressful. Here are five ways to relax that you can use to relax anywhere.
1. Peripheral vision
Look at the wall opposite you and find a point which is straight ahead and a little above
eye level. Continue to look at this point in soft focus throughout this exercise. After a while
you may find that as you concentrate on this point the rest of the room goes a little dark,
or vague, or fuzzy, and you develop a kind of tunnel vision. We use this tunnel vision a lot
in modern society – watching TV or using a computer, we only see the screen; when we
read or write, we are focused on the words; even when we talk to someone, we often only
look at their eyes or their face and ignore the rest of them. This tunnel vision goes with a
kind of inner 'tunnel vision', where we get obsessed or fixated on things, and it goes with
worry, adrenaline, rushing around, stress.
But there is another way of looking at things, and I'd like you to experience that now.
Keeping your eyes on that point, begin to broaden your field of vision and notice more
and more of what's either side of that point, so that soon you're paying attention to what
you can see out of the corners of your eyes on each side. And you can take your
awareness even further around behind you than that; all the way round, 360 degrees; of
course I'm not suggesting that you can see behind you, but you can use your sense of
hearing or spatial awareness to be aware of what's behind you as well.
As you stay in peripheral vision, you may notice that your breathing has moved lower
down in your chest and maybe slowed down or become deeper; that the muscles of your
face have relaxed, perhaps especially your jaw muscles, and you can help those along to
relax even more; and it's probably too soon for this to have happened just yet, but if you
were to stay in peripheral vision for any length of time, you might find your hands begin to
get warm; or even your feet. But it's probably a bit soon for that to have happened just
yet.
The interesting thing is that when you go into peripheral vision you seem to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system; the part of your nervous system that calms you down,
and slows you down, and lets your mind, and body and emotions come back into balance.
So begin to come back by letting your field of vision return to normal. Peripheral vision is
particularly useful when speaking in public; not only does it calm your nerves, but you can
see the whole audience, and you are much more aware of any little movements they
make, so you can gauge how they are reacting. You only need to go into peripheral
vision a little way to contact that deep reserve of peace and tranquillity that exists in each
one of us.
If you're the kind of person who normally has a lot of internal dialogue or commentary,
what happened to it while you were in peripheral vision? Many people find it slows down
or stops altogether.
2. Focus on your breathing
Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. And you don't have to change your
breathing in any way at all although you may find that after a while your breathing shifts
by itself. And any time you find your attention wandering, just return it to focus on your
breathing. If you have any tension in any part of your body, let go of the tension by
imagining you are breathing into that part.
Because breathing is normally unconscious, but you can control it consciously, changing
your breathing, or just becoming aware of it, is an easy way to change your physiological
state.
3. Centering
Where you put your attention in your body has a big effect on how you feel, and even on
how strong you are. This is recognized in the ancient traditions of yoga and the martial
arts.
Just pay attention to a point which is a few inches below your navel, and half way between
the front of you and the back of you - in the centre of your body. At the same time look
straight ahead and go into peripheral vision. Let your body relax, and make sure your
knees aren't locked. You can maintain this focus on your central point all the time,
whatever you are doing. If you're really focused on this point, your body can't feel anxiety,
so it's useful for confrontations and pressure situations.
4. Project an energy bubble
Imagine that you have a bubble of energy projecting out from your central point and
surrounding you like a sort of science fiction force-field. Everything stressful that happens
outside this bubble just bounces off and away from you, leaving you calm and still inside
the bubble. So the more stressful it is outside, the calmer you are inside. Now I'm not
suggesting that there really is a bubble of energy around you in outer reality, but your
unconscious mind doesn't distinguish between imagination and "reality". So if you imagine
that you are shielded from stress, you will be! This is another good one for pressure
situations, but you don't just have to use it as a shield. When you give a presentation,
extend your energy bubble all the way out to the back and side walls of the room, and
then pull it in slightly to embrace and include your whole audience. They will notice the
difference!
5. Float up above yourself
Sometimes in emotionally fraught situations it can be a good idea to detach yourself so
that you can calm down and get things in perspective. A good way to do this is to float up
above the situation. Try it now.
Imagine that you are floating out of your body, higher and higher, and looking down at
yourself. Float up until you reach a height at which you are completely comfortable. You'll
notice that the higher up you float, the more detached you feel.
You can do this with memories or with imagined future situations as well. If the memory
involves other people, float up above the memory of yourself as you interact with them.
Observe the scene as a whole system - notice how they react to what you do and say,
and how you react to what they do and say. What do you learn from this new perspective?
With a bit of practice you'll be able to do this in a situation as it happens.