Relaxation and affirmation for a positive self-image

In our hurried, over-stressed society it's easy to overlook the benefits of relaxation.

Relaxation should not be viewed as an "indulgence" but rather as a necessity.

Our bodies are designed to move, and our brains are designed to think, but both function far more effectively when we allow them a little respite and give ourselves time to relax.

What is relaxation?

Well, it's different things to different people.

It can be anything that takes your mind off the worries and stresses of the day and allows you to lose yourself in the "flow".

It could be anything from reading a book, playing an instrument, writing a letter or doing embroidery, right through to walking, swimming and other forms of keep fit.

It is any activity that allows your conscious mind to switch off, allows your sub-conscious to take over, and enables you to "lose yourself" in your chosen pastime.

We have all had the experience of "losing ourselves" in an activity, suddenly looking at the clock and wondering where all the time went!

A particular way to use relaxation to improve confidence and develop a positive self-image is to combine relaxation with affirmation.

Visualisation is a very powerful tool for developing affirmations and creating a positive self-image.

Give yourself a few moments to lay down in a quiet space.

You may like to put on some calming and relaxing music.

Allow your eyes to close and your mind to quieten down.

Create a picture in your mind of how you will look when you have bags of confidence and a positive belief in yourself.

Make the picture as big, bright and bold as you can.

If you can, make it into a movie.

Hear the sounds in the scene, feel the temperature, or maybe even a breeze.

Now imagine how you would feel inside with all this confidence and self-belief.

Find the feeling, let it grow and let the feeling flow throughout your body - feel really good.

Now allow an affirmation that captures how you look, sound and feel in the movie, drift into your mind.

It may be something along the lines of, "I am a strong, beautiful and calm woman." Or, maybe, "I am a compassionate, decisive, leader."

Say his affirmation over and over to yourself - you may say it out loud or inside you head.

When you feel ready, take a deep breath in, open your eyes, stretch and wake up. You will feel calm, relaxed and refreshed.

Set aside a few minutes each day to quieten down, relax, and play your movie in your mind's eye.

As your movie plays, let your affirmation run through your mind and allow the good feelings to spread to every part of you.

Experience the feelings of self-confidence and positive self-image in every bone and every muscle in your body.

As you allow your mind and body to relax, play your movie, and recite your affirmation, you are training your mind and body to behave in a more confident way and you are, in turn, enhancing your own self-image.

You will notice yourself doing things slightly differently - you will begin to walk taller, you will begin to speak up a bit more, and these little things will grow and develop into profound changes as you become a more relaxed and confident person with a positive self-image.

Enjoy!