Our muscles run throughout our bodies so if they’re tense, we’re tense, and we expend too much energy.  So, in addition to letting go of unnecessary tension throughout your day, try this strategy when you have a minute or so….Notice the surfaces beneath you (e.g., the floor beneath your feet, the chair beneath your seat, the pillows behind you).  Visualize and imagine that these surfaces are like sponges, but instead of absorbing water, they absorb tension from your body, allowing gravity to help drain the tension out of your body.

Try my free audio clip “Sponge.”

Sponge (right click to download)

(on Internet Explorer, click “save target as”, on Firefox and Chrome, click “save link as”)

Are you tired at the end of the day? Exhausted at the end of your work week? If so, consider how much unnecessary energy you expend.  Go green with your body!  Put up green sticky notes and try to remember every time you see something green to conserve energy.  Ask yourself “Do I need all of this energy right now?” or “What’s the least amount of energy can I use and still do what I’m doing?”  Then let go of any tension you don’t need.

Jennifer L. Abel, Ph.D.

author of “Active Relaxation: How to Increase Productivity and Achieve Balance by Decreasing Stress and Anxiety”