There are a number of stress therapy techniques that work well, two of the better-known ones being controlled breathing and progressive relaxation training. Progressive relaxation training involves a number of exercises that train your mind and body to gradually become more relaxed. Although there is something of a learning curve to this therapeutic technique, with practice this is an extremely effective method of reducing stress.
Controlled breathing requires less initial effort and works well as a stress therapy for people who find it relatively easy to clear their minds and regulate their breathing which, in turn, relaxes the rest of the body. This is sometimes hard to do because the majority of people who are stressed tend to breathe quickly and shallowly. A good therapist will be able to decide which technique is most suitable as they have vast experience of determining how individuals respond to particular treatments.
Another stress therapy technique that works well is cognitive restructuring. This is particularly suitable in cases of accumulated stress and for people who have a tendency to over or under react to potentially difficult situations. During cognitive restructuring your therapist will help you to examine situations so that you can see them for what they really are rather than what you imagine them to be. Many of us, for example, make assumptions or have unfounded worries that are entirely inappropriate to a situation. A therapist can help identify those inappropriate thoughts and feelings and can point out how they actually contribute to stress.
By learning how to catch yourself when you are reacting in this way, you can also learn how to use logic to revise your reaction to an appropriate level. This method works well for people who are feeling stuck or who tend to get upset at the smallest things. As this method teaches you to question how you think or feel about things, it also helps people to feel more comfortable when standing up for themselves and therefore enables them to be more effective in their daily lives.
Assertiveness and communication skills training are sometimes used alongside the above stress therapy techniques or can be effective when used on their own. Both of these techniques teach you to deal with problems in a fair and logical manner, taking into consideration the rights and needs of all those involved. Many people avoid dealing with stressful situations because they do not feel they have the right to ask for what they want or fear that they will make matters worse. Learning how to speak up for yourself in an effective way is an excellent therapeutic technique when it comes to reducing stress.
Whatever stress therapy technique you choose, remember that you should feel comfortable working with your therapist. Take your time to choose the therapist who is right for you and who endorses a technique with which you feel comfortable. Remember that you can mix and match techniques and that some work better than others for individual people. No two human beings are the same and it may take some time to find the stress therapy technique that works well for you.
