Do you have a big presentation coming up? A crucial exam? Job Interview? Audition? Don’t let nerves get the best of you. Try arriving to your location thirty minutes early. Find a quiet, private spot nearby and do these relaxation tips from the Mayo Clinic:
Start with the physical. Relax your entire body by tensing, then relaxing every muscle group. Start at your toes. Tense for five seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. Move slowly and methodically through each muscle group, going all the way up until you finish with your neck and head.
Now calm your mind. Visualize a place or situation where you feel “stress-free.” Use all your senses. Is your “happy place” a tropical beach? Feel the sand between your toes. Listen to the waves. Feel the sun on your face. Do you find your zen hiking in the mountains? Listen to the leaves crunch under your feet. See the snow falling around you. Touch the trunk of a tree, or feel the rock under your fingers.
Sit for a few minutes. Close your eyes and focus on the calm feeling of your breath. Think “feel-good” thoughts.
You’re ready to take on the world!
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