Relaxation strategies

Relaxation strategies aim to alleviate anxiety, tension and distress, which can enhance general wellbeing and may improve symptoms of psychiatric disorders.

Relaxation strategies can include:

• activities that patients find relaxing (eg walking, exercising, watching television, listening to music)
• formal relaxation activities (eg meditation, mindfulness, yoga)
• specific relaxation techniques (eg paired muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, guided imagery)—these can teach patients to consciously relax during a stressful time, and can be used on their own or as a component of more comprehensive therapies (eg cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT] for anxiety).