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THE
RELAXATION RESPONSE
Relaxation News
by Laurie H. Miller, C.C.H.
Laurie's
Notes
Dear Clients,
I had
an experience with a client that prompted the subject of this
newsletter.
My client was aware
of unresolved fear that held her back from attaining her goals.
Whenever she attempted to approach it, her immediate reaction
was to run away or to avoid it. The feeling was so strong
that she almost cancelled the appointment with me.
After talking,
it was apparent to me that she wasn’t given the support
she needed to face the fear.
To feel safe she
needed me to listen, be gentle and respectful. She needed
to support herself by looking at the fear at a pace that she
controlled.
We successfully
approached her fear, processed it, and released it! What a
freeing experience!
***
The
Need for Support
Are
you like this too?
All
my life I have been very sensitive. I found that I could not
watch movies with “bad” endings or violence without
having disturbed sleep for a few days. I eventually got to
the point of avoiding the nightly news because I couldn’t
stop reacting to the horrors in the world. (I can listen to
it on the radio with less reaction). I realized that as a
kid, whenever I watched something sad, I would sit still,
hold my emotions in, and the few tears that escaped were hidden
behind glasses and quickly wiped away.
If
this is you read on...
A friend (and therapist)
brought it to my attention that I held in my feelings because
I did not have support to deal with the fear. I learned to
avoid emotionally charged issues that affected me in a negative
way.
She suggested I
see what would happen if I had support after watching something
that created trauma for me.
With a
small group, I watched a documentary, “Lost Children”,
about child labor around the world. I left my glasses off
(to change my experience). I began to watch with some nervousness
and trepidation.
This
is what happened.
I
still felt myself holding my emotions in, although not as
much. I did some deep, slow breathing to stay more relaxed.
After the program, which I was able to sit through, we talked
about it. Everyone shared their reactions and I had the support
to feel my feelings and express them. I felt more relaxed
and relieved.
I find that I am
not as hesitant to look at traumatic media. My awareness of
what I need, support and safety to express myself was key
to my change.
What
can you do?
It is easier to
face trauma, fears, phobias, and any issue that is emotionally
charged with assistance, comfort, and encouragement. Self
support and awareness lessens the stress. Once you allow yourself
to look at the fear and explore it (feel it), you will notice
that it fades or it will completely release. You then have
the clear ability to move forward with a wonderful sense of
clarity and freedom!
***
HOW
TO MOVE THROUGH A NEGATIVE EMOTION
Negative
experiences or thoughts create negative emotions. The tendency
of most people is to ignore it or numb it (food, drugs, work,
TV, computer, etc.) Storing negative emotions leads to stress,
anxiety, unhappiness, depression, and even illness.
LET'S
GET RID OF IT!
1. Of course you
have to notice that you have a negative emotion. If you suffer
from any of the list above you can be sure you are holding
emotions in.
2. Sit or lie down
in a comfortable position and decide what negative emotion
you are experiencing.
3. Imagine it as
a symbol or image in front of you.
4. Now imagine
walking towards the image. Breathe deeply several times. Keep
getting closer. Breathe.
5. Stay with the
image. Explore it, talk to it, see it, understand it, as if
it were a friend with a problem.
6.
You will notice a “shift” after awhile. The image
will change or disappear. Be patient with the process and
you will feel better!
THANK
YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS!
Dawn
Baloun, Nancy Murrieta, Scott Peebles, Greg Wright, Rich Nemeth,
Dr. Chris Barney, Larisa Gruer, Manuash Moradi, Drs. Dan and
Rochelle Belove, Anne Lundquist, Patricia Bracho, Judy Metez,
UCI, Nicole Gyrik, Angela Dohney, Gloria Zigner, Corby White,
Lisa Eannis, Toni Vrsolovich, Jaqueline Shea, Lola Ramos,
Sharon Devey, Barbara Greschner, Deena Sellens, Ayeshah Morrin,
Pam Schmidt, and Evan Wiese.
Thanks
for those who have sent me more than one new client.
Copyright©2005-06
Laurie Miller, C.C.H.
No
parts of this website may be duplicated without written
permission.
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