How can you help relax patients who suffer from anxiety or depression? Learn some relaxation techniques useful for behavioral health patients.
Relaxing and managing stress is vital for everyone, especially those suffering from behavioral health disorders. Stress can worsen symptoms and make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, improve moods, and promote overall wellness.
There are many different ways to relax, and some may work better for behavioral health patients than others. It may take some trial and error, but let’s look at some relaxation techniques that might help behavioral health patients.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are one of the quickest and easiest ways to relax. Slow, deep breathing helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress hormones. When we’re stressed, our breathing becomes shallow and fast. This short breath can make us feel more anxious and tense.
Try to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Have your patient close their eyes and breathe slowly through their nose, filling their lungs. They must hold their breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through their mouth. Repeat this process for a few minutes. They should start to feel more relaxed with each breath.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This relaxation can help reduce overall muscle tension and promote relaxation.
For your patient to do progressive muscle relaxation:
- Start by tensing the muscles in their toes for a few seconds, then release.
- Work their way up to the muscles in their legs, abdomen, back, arms, and neck.
- Take deep breaths as they tense and relax each muscle group.
Personal Space
Personal space is vital for everyone but crucial for those with behavioral health disorders. Creating a safe and comfortable space can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Start by having them declutter their space and remove anything that doesn’t make them feel good. Then, add some personal touches that make them feel happy and relaxed. These touches could include fresh flowers, candles, cozy blankets, or anything else that brings joy. It’s important to have personal space in behavioral health facilities for patients to relax and feel safe.
Consider adding relaxation tools, such as a yoga mat, meditation cushion, or aromatherapy diffuser.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to manage stress and promote relaxation. It can help you clear your mind, process your emotions and make sense of your thoughts.
Have your patient find a quiet place to write. Then, they can start by writing about what’s causing them stress. Then, brainstorm some ways to cope with or solve the problem. Finally, write down anything that makes them feel happy or grateful.
They can write in a journal every day or when they feel stressed. There’s no right or wrong way to journal. The important thing is that it helps them to relax and feel better.
There are many different ways to relax. Some require more time than others, and some may work better for others. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for a behavioral health patient, but it’s crucial to find a relaxation technique that works for them.
Try out different techniques and see what works best. Your patient will be on the way to a more relaxed and stress-free life.
