Reduce Compulsion Through Relaxation

Relaxation Techniques

Are you ready for a vacation? Come on a journey to peaceful places and tranquil waters. A place to ease your tension, a place which is stress-free and worry-free. No ticket required no terminal lineups, no airsickness. Buckle up for destination paradise!

Your imagination works best when you are relaxed. To prepare yourself, get into a comfortable position in a reclining chair or lying down. Read the exercise, then try it.

Relaxation Technique – Destination Paradise

Take five deep breaths holding each for three seconds, then releasing slowly while relaxing the body. As you breathe out slowly, think the word peace. You’re going to vacation in 1,500 mile-high city of God. In the center is a garden paradise, lush with Amazon flowers, trees and colorful, tropical birds. A shallow stream meanders through color-covered banks. A rubber raft is on the shore and you are going for a ride. Get in the raft. Imagine yourself drifting, the hot sun bathing you in light as you watch the birds and dragonflies. A gentle breeze blows through the treetops. It’s a perfect day, a perfect temperature. And you have nothing to do but float downstream in paradise. Breathe deeply, releasing slowly. Really let yourself go. Let go and trust in God. Let the tension go. Let the worry go. Let the fear go. Be at peace because you are safe. If you start becoming tense, refocus on breathing deeply and slowly, saying peace with each exhalation.

Letting Go
Once you are comfortable, become aware of your breathing. Breathe deeply like you are drinking in oxygen to a thirsty body. Take a deep breath and let it go slowly. When you breathe out, imagine you are exhaling all the worry, fear, pain and doubt from your body. Feel it leaving. As you breathe in, the life-giving oxygen is filling every cell with life. You are becoming more at peace with each breath. You can feel the presence of God with you, comforting you. You are safe. See the problems in your life. Consider them for only a second, then give them all to God. See Jesus taking them and putting them in a bag. He takes them and says, “I will take care of this for you.” And then comes a peace that transcends all chocolate chip cookies.

If you feel uncomfortable, reassure yourself that it is okay to put your problems in the bag.

Peace
Get into a relaxed state by breathing in until the lungs are full, holding for two seconds, then breathing out slowly, while thinking peace. You are ready for battle. To the food that you are resolved to give up, you will boldly shout “NO.” The foods, to which you are not ready to give up, you will weakly say “NO.” Consider why you are not willing to give them up.

Write all the reasons why you do not want to eat that food so your resolve is strengthened, then try the exercise again. If you spend time doing this, and you face a temptation, your response to that food will be an immediate “NO.”

Body Relaxation
Scan your body from head to foot. Are there any areas of tension? If so, take a few deep breaths, hold, then release slowly, saying “relax” to these parts. Are your neck muscles or jaw tense? Focus on relaxing these muscles. Do you have tightness in the shoulders? How are your emotions? Are you fighting worry or anxiety? Is there a feeling of hurt? To these uncomfortable emotions, say “peace” and let go. Create a feeling of contented relaxation. Do not wrestle with your thoughts. Watch how they enter your thinking and gather momentum and feelings. Just keep letting go, saying “peace” to yourself and relaxing the muscles.