Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Using Relaxation Techniques To Help Conquer Anxiety

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety |

Relaxation Techniques To Help Anxiety

  • Relaxation techniques show promise for the treatment of anxiety

  • Common relaxation techniques for anxiety include meditation and guided imagery

Relaxation techniques may help people cope with the stresses that contribute to anxiety and help relieve some of the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. The most commonly used relaxation techniques for anxiety are meditation, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and autogenic training (which involves imagining that certain body parts are becoming warm and heavy one at a time). These techniques may promote relaxation by reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn can lead to decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tension.

Although relaxation techniques show promise for the treatment of anxiety, large, randomized, controlled trials are still needed to confirm their effectiveness. Consequently, relaxation techniques to treat anxiety should be used only in combination with proven treatments and not as a substitute for medication or psychotherapy. In addition, these techniques may worsen anxiety or other medical conditions in a small number of individuals, so it’s best to consult your doctor before trying any of them.

Mastering relaxation techniques to treat anxiety requires practice and some training from a professional. If your primary care physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist does not teach these techniques, he or she can refer you to a practitioner who does.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety |

Relaxation Techniques To Help Anxiety

Posted in Depression and Anxiety on April 17, 2006
Reviewed March 2010

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Depression and Anxiety Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.


I found that going to the "Y" and working out in the fitness center does wonders. It releases the tension, clears the mind, and brings a smile to the face. It causes the the tension and anxiety to drift or float out of the body. It restores confidence.

Some one may ask what kind of exercies do I do. Well, I start with a walk of 1/2 mile around the track, and at the same time stretch my upper body while carrying 5 pound weights in each hand. After that, I use 2 range of mnotion exercise machines, followed by 50 pound weight pulls. Then it is followed by 1/2 mile of leisurely jogging around the track. I conclude with another 1/2 mile walk, 40 push ups, and close with deep breathing, head rotations, a final stretch, a weight check on the,wash my hands and leave the "Y" a very happy camper.

Try it. Or try your own program. The trainers are very helpful in suggesting an exercise plan.

Posted by: dd | June 23, 2006



Post a Comment


Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Register to submit your comments.

Your Email Address:

(example: yourname@domain.com)

 

(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis
Back Pain & Osteoporosis
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Enlarged Prostate
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Hypertension & Stroke
Lung Disorders
Memory
Men's Health
Nutrition
Prescription Drugs
Prostate Disorders
Sexual Health
Vision
Weight Control
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report



Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Depression and Anxiety

Our Featured Titles:

Johns Hopkins White Papers

  • 2010 Depression and Anxiety White Paper
    The Depression and Anxiety White Paper discusses major depression, dysthymia, atypical depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobic disorders, offering you news on the latest treatments and medications for these mood disorders. 88 pages.
    Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION


    Related Titles:

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    Since 1988, Hopkins experts have been reporting the latest cutting-edge information on treating the major medical conditions affecting those over 50. Women's health, men's medical concerns, nutrition, weight control, breakthroughs on depression and anxiety, and more, direct to you every month from our specialists.
    Read more, collect your FREE trial issue, or order now and receive two FREE Special Reports...


    Reference Books

    Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health after 50

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
    A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a "crash course" on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...

    Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies
    This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, it's causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...



  • © 2010 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com