Relaxation techniques really can assist in reducing muscular tension as well as providing stress relief and other psychological benefits. Overtraining will lead to fatigue, anxiety and sleeplessness, so relaxation techniques will aid you in the relief from any localized tension as well as just falling asleep.

The best relaxation strategies that I recommend are progressive muscle relaxation techniques and controlled breathing.

• progressive muscle relaxation – involves the practice of tensing and relaxing individual muscle groups until the whole body has been covered. Once you have moved over the whole body and are completely relaxed, you can then just stay in that state with your eyes closed, enjoying the almost floating-like sensations throughout the body.
• controlled breathing – performed with deep controlled breaths, this exercise increases oxygen supply in the blood stream, which reaches all muscles and organs throughout the entire body. The deep, diaphragmatic breaths also increase focus in the mind, providing a technique that can be applied to any situation where you need to concentrate to perform.

Other meditation methods can involve using a mantra or sound which is a repeated rhythmic pattern. Allow your thoughts to flow passively with this style, don’t try to interfere with the thoughts and just relax into a deep meditative state. It’s the act of not fighting the thoughts that will allow you to relax into a deeper state.

It’s best to experiment with relaxation techniques until you find what is comfortable for yourself. The emotional and physical benefits are enormous and really will provide you with a healthy state of being.