subject: Doing Relaxation Exercises after Heart Surgery [print this page] A research was carried in 1960s by Harvard cardiologist, Dr Herbert Benson, which states that the physiological changes can be brought about by implementing some relaxation techniques, such as muscle relaxation, exercises, deep breathing and yoga. This sort of relaxation techniques are often a part of therapy programs and angina management programs. It is not always possible to have access to such programs, if it is hard to get any program, you can learn these techniques yourself as they are easy to learn and make use of them to keep yourself calm and relaxed after a heart surgery. Some of the well known muscle relaxing and tensing techniques and methods are given below for your convenience:
- Find any quiet corner in your home, where no one will disturb you. Stay there for about ten minutes undisturbed. Loosen any tight clothing, remove your shoes and better to hook off your phone.
- Now lie down or simply sit at ease. You can use cushions to support your back in order to relieve any pains or aches. If you close your eyes softly, you will far better and relaxed.
- Next thing is to relax your muscles. Starting from feet, going up to rest of your body and pay special attention those areas or muscles which you think are under stress. Relax each group of muscles in the same way.
- Don't get distract by your unwanted thoughts. Simply observe them and let them go like clouds in the sky. No need to ponder over them.
- Starting from your toes, clench them, do the same with your thighs, ankles, abdomen, arms, shoulders and chest. Screw up your face and scalp and let them relax for a while in a quiet corner.
- Spare some time to focus on your breathing. Breathe from your abdomen instead of your chest. Place your hand on your abdomen while breathing to check whether you are breathing from abdomen or not. When you inhale it will expand and relax when exhale.
- After getting a state of being relaxed, stay there for few more moments. Then get up slowly and you are ready to do your daily chores.
The important thing is to get familiar with the situations when you feel like tense, only in that way you will be able to tempt the relaxation response quite swiftly. Observe the tense moments carefully and make it a habit to the tense moments of your life, like tapping your fingers or foot, hunching your shoulders, clenching your teeth and frowning etc. only in this way you can make a conscious effort to stay relax.
Relaxation is by no means sitting idle in the house and doing nothing. Physical activities are as important as like any other techniques to keep your heart healthy and in best working environment. Relaxation helps to lower the blood pressure and is therefore important for heart and its functions. Always look for different techniques and exercises that best suit you to relive your tensions.
