Relaxation techniques requested, please

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

I am the most nervous, fidgety, uptight person I know. Tomorrow the biggest exam of my life starts, and I need to relax this evening and get decent rest for once in my life. Any suggestions? I don't drink, smoke or take drugs, so imbibing, etc. are out of the question. Thanks!

[RPM]

1. go see march of the penguins

2 hours of penguins playing and morgan freeman narrating - definition of relaxing

that's what i might do tonight.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

3. That movie looks very cute

So far I am considering taking a bubble bath in the Jacuzzi. Would like to take some Benadryl at about 7:00 p.m. and get to bed by 10:00 instead of my usual 1:00, but I don't want any residual effects tomorrow morning. Last night I was restless and couldn't sleep, so I got on the computer and paced the floor, and I don't want that to happen again tonight. I need to leave about 6:45 in the morning for Arlington (the exam site is right next to the Rangers' ballpark, and it's about a 30-40-minute drive for me). The night before the February 2002 LSAT I watched the Olympics opening ceremonies and took a bubble bath, and that helped, but this is so much more stressful.

Have fun at the movie - I think that's a great idea.

I wish I were taking the PA bar with you and my buddies instead of the TX bar with a bunch of strangers!!! But life trudges on.

[AuntieM1957]

6. Ocean Sounds or Thunderstorms

Sounds like you're on the right track...

what's worked for me in the past are those soundtracks of storms, ocean sounds, brooks, etc.

sometimes I need the dark, the benadryl, and the sounds - together they never fail.


Sorry you're away from your buddies - but I'm glad you're in Texas. WE need all the progressive thinking lawyers we can get!

The best of luck on your exam...

[Debi]

2. Eat a banana and drink a glass of milk

Then turn all the lights off except for the one you'll use to read a book (a fun read book, nothing serious). You'll fall asleep in no time.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. muscle tension/relaxation

Lay down (or sit in reclining chair) - get as comfy as possible.

Clench your toes as tightly as you can. Count slowly to ten. Unclench your toes slowly.

Clench your calves as tightly as you can. Count slowly to ten. Unclench your calves slowly.

Clench your thighs . . .

Remember to breathe the whole time, and deeply. Don't hold your breath. At first it was hard for me not to hold my breath when I was clenching. I don't know why.

Work your way slowly from your toes to your shoulders & neck, then down your arms to your fingers.

It works for me. Good luck. You will do GREAT on your exam. Picture yourself getting that letter (or whatever) stating that you've rec'd an A/you've passed!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. Glad you posted this

works very well

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. Thanks, everyone

I will try these techniques. I thought of another one: hugging my cats as often as possible. Simba is purring on my lap right now as I start to study Texas Criminal Procedure.

[crispini]

7. Take some herbal tea (chamomile) before you go to bed

tonight. Avoid caffein after noon. Get some light exercise during the day, but not after about 5 pm or so. Get something to do that you really enjoy tonight, i.e. very absorbing "get-away" kind of DVD to watch or book to read.

Good luck! :hi:

[sam sarrha]

9. Meditation is absolutely the Best method to relax, but it can take a while

because it is a method of training the mind.. it takes regular practice.. sounds like now is the time to start.. considering you condition..

i taught meditation in juvenile prisons.. they were all paroled within 60 days.. the change was even physical,.. it was hard to recognize a before and after photo.

go to http://www.buddhanet.net and down on the left is Buddhanet Audio.. they have some 'Guided Meditations', there is also a nice video instruction somewhere.. but now just do the guided meditations, the "Insight meditation" group is the best to start with, they give 10 day free retreats after you get some experience.

PM me if you want.. i got to go now..

good luck.. meditation is a method to learn to focus the mind, not to control it, that just gets it all excited.. you need to just sit and watch it without getting involved intellectually or emotionally, meditation will teach you how to Not attach an emotion to a thought.. that is a key element in happiness and calmness, the jitters are a biochemical response to attaching an emotion to thoughts. you get an adrenaline response and other cascade responses

a really good book is 'Diamond Mind', by Rob Nairn, you can get it for about$4 at www.amazon.com used. Nairn was a monk in retreat for years when the Dalai lama told him to go into the world and teach meditation.. it was needed.

[mzteris]

10. lavendar scent

........ or go to your nearest health foods store, there is a Badger brand "Sleep Balm" - scented stuff - you can use that helps a lot.

and/or

Warm bath (with the lavendar added....), low lights, quiet music maybe? oh and a cup of warm milk.

Ooo - if there is no health food store around - look in the baby section of the grocery for the lavendar baby bath...