Body Awareness to Relieve Chronic Stress

When your brain perceives an event as stress, your body often reacts by becoming tense. Body awareness helps you recognize these physical feelings that indicate you're experiencing stress.

Once you're aware of the parts of your body that become tense, you can use these “hot spots” as indicators of your brain reacting to stress.

Listen to the body awareness technique.

(Audio format: RealPlayer)

By developing an awareness of your body, you become your own stress monitor and can use other stress-coping techniques, such as:

Progressive muscle relaxation to loosen those tense muscles
Meditation to relax your body and mind
Guided imagery to create a sense of peace
Writing to reduce anxiety

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