May Newsletter

Updated Wednesday 30, April 2014 by Chris Gonzalez

relaxSpring Relaxation Fair

While we all try our best to manage our stress during finals, sometimes we still end up feeling overwhelmed or anxious. While eating, sleeping, and exercising regularly are good preventative measures for managing stress, we can also combat stress with relaxation techniques that work right in the stressful moment. There are many different healthy relaxation techniques, and different exercises work better for different people. Try out a few and see what works best for you.

To relax, de-stress and prepare for finals, come by the Panepinto Plaza outside the Mac Mahon Student Center on Monday, May 5th. Accompanied by a DJ, the fair features free chair massages, calming teas, fun crafts, exciting presentations, and more.

Exercises for Relaxation

Feeling stressed right now? Here are a couple techniques to try out. Stop by the Center for Personal Development’s table at the Relaxation Fair to learn more.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

By systematically and deliberately tensing and relaxing all of your muscle groups one-by-one, you can become more aware of the tension you are holding in your body and release it to feel more relaxed. Check out this video that guides you through the process in just 10 minutes.

lunggsDiaphragmatic Breathing

Also called belly breathing, diaphragmatic breathing is a way of breathing deep into our abdomen, not our chest. We naturally do this as babies, expanding our belly out when we breathe in and contracting our muscles back in to breathe out, but this often takes practice for us master as adults. Most people take shallow breaths into their chests, but with frequent practice and focus, you can maximize your body’s oxygen intake and trigger it’s natural relaxation response. Once mastered, you can use this technique anywhere you feel anxious or stressed, including final exam rooms!

  • Get started with this how-to guide and explanations at MindBodyGreen.com
  • If you have an Android, iPhone or iPad, try downloading the free app, “Breathe 2 Relax”. With instructional videos and interactive breathing exercises, you can practice diaphragmatic breathing wherever you go.

The Center for Personal Development is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. We offer free and confidential counseling to the Saint Peter’s Community. To schedule an appointment, call (201) 761-6420 or stop by our office.