What if I'm Too Tense to Relax?
February 21, 2010 in stress and anxiety relief 
A reader recently sent me a question saying: "I'm stressed and I know I would benefit from relaxation but I feel too tense to start. Whenever I try to slow down, things seem too slow and I feel frustrated that I could be getting things done rather than sitting doing nothing. How can I find a way to try relaxation and get used to the feeling?"
It's a good question, and it's one that I thing resonates very well with many sufferers of stress and anxiety. When you're busy and you're getting lots done it feels as if you're moving fast. In a similar way to when you're driving a car on a motorway and you're covering distance at speed, when you take an exit and have to slow your speed down, it feels really slow in comparison to the pace you were travelling at just seconds ago. For many busy, stressed, and anxious people, relaxation feels the same way. Rather than settling into the pleasure and calm of a contemplative state, they find it too slow, or too alien to their usual state of productivity and drive.
When Slowing Down Doesn't Feel Good
When you are used to operating in an adrenaline fuelled state, relaxation and meditation can feel really strange and they can seem pointless too. Why would you want to stop and sit still when you have so much to get done?
Or, if anxiety is the case, why would you want to stop and sit with a headful of anxious thoughts, when you could be busying yourself and getting away from your head and feeling more comfortable?
But the trouble with running at high speed all the time is that eventually, your body will call for you to stop. So why not meet it half way? And find a way of relaxing that doesn't feel like you're putting your foot on the brake, or like you're being forced to sit down quietly with a head full of anxious thoughts that you would rather avoid at all costs.
Relaxation to go
The easiest way to do this is to engage in action relaxation. That means activities where you can enjoy the benefits of relaxation while you're still using your body and your mind. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or tai chi are all great for stretching out tension from your muscles and helping you relax, but they keep your mind occupied and your body moving so you don't feel like you've ground to an uncomfortable halt.
Listen to the full podcast here:
Slayer Resource: Progressive Muscle Relaxation mp3 download
Natural Release mp3
Muscle tension goes hand in hand with stress and anxiety. Discover how to quickly release tension and become more relaxed with this guided progressive muscle relaxation.
Running Time: 15 minutes | Price: $3.95
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