We live in a fast moving world of stress and demands on our time and attention, from our jobs, family, community, social media. All of this places heavy stress on us. Often we are unaware of the level of stress we are carrying, because our bodies are equipped to turn up the heat to meet the demands that are placed on us.

So we do the next best thing. We take a step back. Take holidays. Step away from it all. But, have you ever found that on day 2 or 3 of your holiday, you become quite exhausted and not motivated to do much? In some ways, this is a good thing. This is your body and mind unwinding from the hurly-burly world of the rat race. Your body is starting to relax, you are becoming aware of this. Instead of focusing on work, projects, finance, relationships - you are now focusing internally, and starting to realise you are tired, and sore.

But sometimes we are not able to take breaks, and so we continue a downward spiral into stress if not handled properly. Good living habits, including setting time for exercise, meditation, and breaks help. But how often have we been too busy being busy that we don't even have time for that.

I want to share an easy exercise that will help you take a break, and relax - deeply. It is based on a technique used by hypnotists and is very effective.

How Hypnosis Works

In a nutshell, a hypnotist is able to get you into a state of hypnotic sleep by literally boring you to sleep. If you have watched a hypnotist (not the stage type) you will notice they speak very slowly, repeat everything, and keep telling you how tired you are.

What the hypnotist does when holding that swinging watch in front of you is to make your eyes tired; and then tell you "...your eyes are starting to feel heavy and tired - your eyes are starting to feel heavy and tired ...". They are literally guiding you to sleep. And then they hit you. "...You just want to sleep. You just want to sleep. When I click my fingers...".

<snap>

We all know the snap of the fingers, because it brings results. However, the lead-up to the snap is where the work is done.  A skilled hypnotist will spend time relaxing your entire body until that inevitable snap where you can't resist falling into a guided sleep state.

Let's learn how we can do the same for ourselves.

A quick way to test the technique

As a way to understand the technique, let's practice with one of our hands. You decide which one.

Do the exercise while you read this. It will take a minute.

• Sit some place where you can rest your entire arm, for example a bed, sofa, table, or even just laying your hand on your lap.
• Clench your fist and tighten the muscles all along your hand. Be aware of the muscles as they tighten.
• Keep it in this state for about 10 to 15 seconds
• Now, start relaxing the muscles of your fist, starting with the tiny finger.
• Now, move to your next finger - your ring finger. As you relax your second finger, observe the muscles of that finger and of your tiny finger.
• Continue with the rest of the fingers to your thumb. Slowly, one by one, observing the muscles as you go.
• Continue now to your palms, your wrist, your arm, elbow. up to your shoulder.

You should take about a minute to complete this exercise. When you have completed. compare to the other hand. You should notice a different state of relaxation and awareness.

The quick relaxation technique.

The quick relation technique is exactly what we did on our hand test, but this time along your whole body.

• Tighten the muscles of your body, from your toes right up to the muscles in your face - tighten  your jaw, clench your eyes shut. Whatever is comfortable with you.
• Start the relaxation process. Remember to go slowly and observe your body.
• Star with relaxing the toes of your one foot, then your other. Go slowly. 
• Move upwards - your calves, knees, thighs, waist, stomach, solar plexus, chest
• Relax the hands, one by one, from fingers to your shoulders. Remember to observe how the other muscles are reacting.
• Relax the muscles in your neck, jaw, face, eyes, forehead, head and scalp.

When you are done, just close your eyes and enjoy the moment.

The entire exercise can take a few minutes. Go at your pace.

Where and When to do this

You can do this anywhere, at any time. Before starting work, waiting for the bus, before getting out of the car. You decide.

This exercise will help you quickly relax when you need to unwind and re-energise.

Enjoy, and share this wonderful gift.