Progressive Muscle Relaxation Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Progressive Muscle Relaxation?
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that can be used to reduce physical and mental stress. It involves tensing and relaxing one muscle group at a time, to promote relaxation throughout the entire body. The technique was developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s as a way of reducing tension associated with anxiety and stress-related psychological disorders. Since then, it has been widely used as an effective tool for stress management and relaxation. PMR has been studied scientifically for its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. To perform PMR: 1) Lie or sit comfortably in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes if desired. 2) Take 3-4 deep breaths to relax your body further. 3) Tighten each muscle group individually for 5-10 seconds while breathing slowly out. Start from head down (e.g., forehead muscles), moving slowly through successive muscle groups (e.g., jaw muscles). 4) Slowly release each muscle group after 5-10 seconds while taking 3-4 slow breaths inwards followed by an exhale of the same length as the inhale; focus on how much more relaxed each area feels when released compared to when it was tensely held – this will help you identify where tension may still exist throughout your body so that you can focus on releasing those areas later if needed during subsequent sessions of PMR practice). 5) Repeat this until all major areas have been tensed and released 2 or 3 times – such as forehead muscles, jaw muscles, shoulders & upper back muscles etc Continue down through your arms into hands & fingers; then legs into feet & toes; chest & abdomen etc Allow yourself 10 minutes total for the practice session if possible (alternatively come back to finish later if needed). 6) When finished take 1 minute or so to remain still focusing on how much more relaxed your body now feels compared before you started practicing progressive muscle relaxation techniques. By regularly practicing PMR techniques these feelings should become easier to access whenever needed – possibly even without having to move through full steps 1-6 listed above. This is because with regular practice our bodies become trained at quickly recognizing what we need it do when asked & responding accordingly.