THE RELAXATION ROOM . . . Please call the Counseling Center at ext. 5109 to make an appointment to check out our soothing relaxation room, designed to help individuals develop relaxation skills, cope with stress, and practice mindful meditation. You might enjoy using our biofeedback software, Journey to the Wild Divine. RELAXATION is an important part of taking good care of yourself. It's a common enough word, yet very few of us have had much experience with real relaxation. By "real relaxation" we mean something different from exercising or just zoning out, different from socializing or pursuing some distraction like TV or a computer game or a book. We need those kinds of things, but they're not what we're talking about here. Real relaxation is a focused, intentional period of time during which one is mindful and alert, and yet one's muscles are relaxed. It's not necessarily as easy as it might sound. But when you get good at it, it probably restores energy and boosts mood and performance levels better than any of these other activities. Learning real relaxation techniques is not always as easy as it sounds. So we have compiled a list of links to web sites that we think can help you learn real relaxation skills. Please note that several of these sites are not maintained by the Counseling Center or Loyola College. These pages may be helpful but are not meant to replace consultation with a mental health professional. We invite you to visit the Counseling Center to learn more about relaxation.
Progressive Relaxation Exercises - Click here for the Progressive Relaxation Exercise or Combination Relaxation Exercise. You can listen on your computer or download the mp3 file onto your computer or other device. This site is maintained by the Hobart and Smith Colleges Counseling Center. Meditation -- This free site provides some pretty terrific virtual relaxation experiences that range from 3 to 10 minutes for individuals seeking more serenity and calm. It includes soothing sounds, imagery, and deep-breathing techniques. This site is maintained by PGE. Meditation, Guided Fantasy, and Other Stress Reducers -- This free site includes several virtual meditation slide shows of beautiful landscapes and scenes from nature, as well as other helpful information about stress reduction. The "Breathing" section is particularly helpful. This site is maintained by Selfhelp Magazine, on online mental health web site that is maintained by a licensed psychologist. Relaxing Background Music -- This free site offers several visually relaxing scenes and several options for soothing background music. You can listen to the background music while you work on your computer. This site is maintained by e-help.com, which organizes online resources for various medical specialties. Audio Sessions -- This free site includes some great relaxation exercise. A soothing voice leads you through your choice of several deep breathing exercises. This site is maintained by the Counseling and Psychological Service of the University of North Carolina. Deep Breathing Meditation -- This free site offers 5 deep-breathing meditations ranging from 2 to 9 minutes. The meditations are offered in an audio format, so sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy. The first two are most recommended and some of the offerings have a Buddhist influence. This site is independently maintained. MP3 Relaxation -- Have a portable mp3 player? Try downloading some of these files and play them between classes to help you clear your mind. The Sleep Technique recording might be useful to people who have a hard time getting to sleep. This site is maintained by the University of Wisconsin.
Need more info? Try these sites . . .
Stress Recess - an interactive stress management website for students developed by the University of Texas.Self-care and Relaxation -- This site contains helpful tips on self-care and quick and easy deep-breathing exercises for relaxation. This site is maintained by the Counseling Center. Stress Management -- This site includes information on the causes of stress, types of stress, and helpful tips on reducing and managing stress. This site is maintained by the Counseling Center. Stress Management and more -- This free site show visitors how to analyze and plan to control stress and offers many good stress management techniques. | 
