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Holistic Wellness Information
Relaxation Techniques
Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, as documented by the NIH's NCCIH.
Relaxation techniques are structured practices — deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, body scans — that aim to trigger the body's relaxation response.
What published research reports
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the NIH, reports that relaxation techniques have evidence for short-term relief of stress and anxiety symptoms, and summarises studies suggesting benefit for tension headache, some pain conditions and sleep difficulties, while describing much of the research as limited by small studies. NCCIH reports the practices are generally safe for healthy people and are used alongside, not instead of, medical treatment where a condition exists.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know. nccih.nih.gov
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