Relaxation as a tool

The textbook definition of relaxation:

1.	abatement or relief from bodily or mental work, effort, application, etc.

2.	an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.

3.	a loosening or slackening.

4.	diminution or remission of strictness or severity.

Everyone needs to relax, it slows down our thinking, gives us more energy and renews our resources to allow us to cope with life in general. I have hobbies that I use to relax, other people use music or walking to relax. What do you do?

Living a life with DID feels like constant work in addition to the work I'm paid to do for a living. All of it can seem overwhelming and as if there is always something to do. I've often tried to convince myself that I do not have the time to simply just relax without having some additional benefit to it, like I would be accomplishing something in addition to relaxing. Somehow I've now managed to schedule in time for complete relaxation and time for relaxation with an added and beneficial bonus. I thought I'd share a technique with you guys.

Relaxation Technique #1

If the weather permits plan to take a 10 minute walk, if not plan 10 minutes of uninterrupted music listening. During either activity focus on your breathing, taking slow, deep breaths. For these 10 minutes allow yourself to focus only on what you are doing, walking or listening to music. No cell phones, no e-mail, just you and your breathing.

After the 10 minutes sit down and stretch out your legs and arms. Really feel your muscles stretching and relaxing again.

Now, pick out three colors of markers, color pencils or crayons. With those three colors draw how you felt during those ten minutes. Take as long as you'd like, but make sure to only use three colors.

Next, when you are done, look at what you've drawn and describe the colors you used based on the feelings. Connect feeling words to the colors and see what it brings up. You can journal about this or take it to your next therapy session.

My Personal Example:

I walked for 10 minutes.

Red: The constant anxiety that goes through me even when I try to be calm
Yellow: My thoughts, as I tried to stay only focused on my breathing. They became intense and overwhelming and it frightened me, but then would go back to smaller and less intrusive thoughts.
Blue: The feeling of peace as I focused, the hope that I feel that everything won't always be this way.

I was able to get some much needed breathing room as well as become more aware of my feelings in the present moment.