Try This Stress Reduction Technique

Visualize walking along the beach. This will be an emotional healing visualization. Start off by taking several deep, abdominal breaths. You can either sit in a chair or lie down, which ever you feel more comfortable with. It is important that while you are breathing, you are also trying to clear your mind and relax. If any negative thoughts begin to creep into your mind, take the time to acknowledge them and then simply let them fade away. Now you can breathe normally and easily.

Try to imagine yourself walking along a white sandy beach on a warm, beautiful, clear day. As you walk along the beach, be sure to take notice of your footprints in the sand. As well, take notice of all the people lounging in their chairs, walking their dogs, children playing in the sand, the waves crashing on the shore, birds flying above you, the puffy white clouds and the merchants selling a variety of different novelties. On the beach, there is an abundance of things to see and take in. The overall mood is one of relaxation and pure happiness.

Chances are your week has been less than perfect. Life's stressors have taken their toll on your mood. Therefore, this walk is your attempt at trying to change your mood, while getting things off your mind and relaxing.

As you walk along the sandy beach, you see a giant helium balloon in the distance. The helium balloon is very large and vibrant with colors. Attached to the balloon is a seat designed for one. You notice that a vendor is offering rides in the helium balloon. Since the price is right, you decide to take him up on his offer and go for a ride. You step into the seat. The vendor directs you on the how to work the balloon in order to go higher or come back to the ground. In order to assure you are completely safe, he has a rope attached to the balloon.

The balloon begins to lift you off the ground. The higher you go, the more peaceful you feel. As you ascend, the people and the beach appear to be so small. Then, you think about all of the problems you have experienced over the past week. Your body begins to tense up. You need to acknowledge that feeling.

As you begin to ascend, a bright light, which appears to come directly from Heaven, engulfs you. Your intuition tells you that the light is an angel who was sent to shine her bright light on you. She begins to communicate with you. She tells you that everyone experiences problems from time to time and that it is all part of life.

How we handle the problems can either make us or break us. Our reactions can either cause the problem to be a minor irritation or a complete catastrophe. Everyone has a different reaction to stress. The angel is asking you to view your problems as a minor hurdle that can easily be overcome. She is also saying that as a result of your problems, you can actually become stronger. As well, you can deal with anything that comes your way.

She tells you to feel the tension you are experiencing in your body. In order to feel this, contract your leg muscles, then completely let go. Next, contract your all of your muscles, including your abdomen, buttocks, shoulders, arms and face. Contract one set of muscles at a time. In between working each muscle group, make sure to take some time to relax. As you relax your muscles, let go of all the negative thoughts and situations you have experienced over the past week.

By the time you have worked your way through all of the muscle groups, your problems will have melted completely away. In the clouds, you can see your problems floating away. Your problems now appear to be as small as the people below. In fact, they no longer even exist.

At this point you feel as if you can tackle anything that comes your way. By simply doing this visualization, you realize you can handle all of your stress in a positive manner.

As you begin to descend, the angel tells you how proud of you she is. As you go further down, she tells you your tension will soon be completely gone. She reminds you of how joyous and refreshed you will feel when you reach the ground. Your body feels stress free and light. Be sure to take in the fresh air as you slowly descend.

Now, you begin to the see the people who are on the beach. You can feel how warm the sand is as you touch it. The vendor smiles at you as if he can tell just how refreshed and calm you are.

You thank him for allowing you to ride on his helium balloon. As you begin walking along the beach, you look up. The bright light you had originally seen, goes back into the clouds and then to the heaven. You know that you can call on this special angel at anytime. You are energized and happy. Your life is wonderful. You now know that you can take on the world.