Guided progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is an exercise that relaxes your mind and body by progressively tensing and relaxing muscle groups. I often recommend this exercise to clients because it can help get distance from negative thoughts, locate the source of body-based emotional tension, aid sleep preparation, and tangibly relax breathing and stressed muscles (references below). Regularly practicing PMR strengthens the mind-body connection in a way that nicely complements the affective work that occurs in therapy. Below I’ve written out a guide that you can use to take yourself through this exercise; at the bottom of this article I’ll include some videos and other helpful resources.
It’s important to note that this exercise may not be appropriate if you are coping with chronic pain. In this case, please reach out for alternative mindfulness exercises.
Guidelines
This exercise will take about 15 minutes, and you will need to find a space where you will be undisturbed throughout. You will tense each muscle group vigorously, but without straining, and then suddenly release the tension and feel the muscle relax. You will tense each muscle for about 5 seconds. If you have any pain or discomfort at any of the targeted muscle groups feel free to omit that step. Throughout this exercise you may visualize the muscles tensing and a wave of relaxation flowing over them as you release that tension. It is important that you keep breathing throughout the exercise.
The exercise
Begin by finding a comfortable position either sitting or lying down in a location where you will not be interrupted. Allow your attention to focus only on your body. If you begin to notice your mind wandering, bring it back to the muscle you are working on.
Take a deep breath through your abdomen, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly. Again, as you breathe notice your stomach rising and your lungs filling with air. As you exhale, imagine the tension in your body being released and flowing out of your body. Repeat this until you feel your body begin to sink into the chair or bed, and ensure you continue this breathing throughout the exercise.
Move through the following muscles, tensing each for about five seconds. After five seconds, abruptly release. Pause for about 10 seconds, noting any difference in that muscle area, and in your overall relaxation:
Curl your toes under, tensing your feet
Now flex your feet, pulling your toes towards you and feeling the tension in your calves
Tighten your thighs by pressing your knees together, as if you were holding a penny between them
Tighten your buttocks
Gently arch your lower back
Now, tighten the muscles in your stomach by sucking in. Press your bellybutton to your spine
Tighten your chest by taking a deep breath in, hold for about 5 seconds, and exhale, blowing out all the tension
Tense your upper back by pulling your shoulders back, trying to make your shoulder blades touch
Lift your shoulders up, as if they could touch your ears
Tighten your triceps by extending your arms out and locking your elbows
Now, flex your biceps
Make a “stop” motion with your hands to stretch your forearm away from you
Clench your fists
Gently pull your head back as if to look at the ceiling
Now smile widely, feeling your mouth and cheeks tense
Next, tighten your eye muscles by squinting your eyelids tightly shut
Tighten the muscles in your forehead by raising your eyebrows as high as you can
Now, imagine a wave of relaxation slowly spreading through your body beginning at your head and going all the way down to your feet. Feel the weight of your relaxed body. Note any changes between how you feel now, and how you felt before the exercise. What messages did you find in your body through this exercise? You may wish to repeat the scan again. Continue to breathe deeply until you are ready move on.
Videos
This is a very simple exercise, and you will quickly come to a place where you can conduct the progressive body scan and relaxation without a script to follow. That said, sometimes it’s nice to have someone conducting the exercise for you:
Guided PMR video (15 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86HUcX8ZtAk
Guided PMR video (short - 6 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nZEdqcGVzo
References
Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/MuscleRelaxation.pdf
BC government’s HealthLink BC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/ta4146
Feldman, G., Greeson, J., & Senville, J. (2010). Differential effects of mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and loving-kindness meditation on decentering and negative reactions to repetitive thoughts. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48(10), 1002-1011. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.06.006
McCallie, M. S., Blum, C. M., & Hood, C. J. (2006). Progressive muscle relaxation. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 13(3), 51-66. doi:10.1300/J137v13n03_04