Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Audio)
Progressive Muscle Relaxation is an audio exercise from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. It is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal, and guides the listener through a sequence in which muscle groups are tensed and relaxed in order to promote physical relaxation.
When we are feeling threatened or scared our body goes through a number of changes in an effort to keep us safe: the fight-or-flight response is one automatic reaction which is designed to get our body ready to cope with danger. When people suffer from PTSD their fight-or-flight reaction is too sensitive – often reacting in the absence of danger. Progressive muscle relaxation is a helpful way to respond to unwanted fight-or-flight reactivity. Deliberately relaxing the muscles in the body signals to the mind that you are safe, that there is no danger, and that you are safe to relax once again.
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Audio track (MP3)
A therapy audio track designed for skills development.
Audio script (PDF)
The script for a therapy audio track. Read along with an exercise, or record in your own voice.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
The Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise is an audio exercise from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. It is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal. The Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise guides the listener through a sequence in which muscle groups are tensed and relaxed.
Therapist Guidance
This audio track is designed for anyone who experiences stress or who likes to learn relaxation techniques. The audio track is a simple .mp3 file which can be played in most media player apps. You can also download the verbatim script, allowing you to record the exercise for your clients in your own voice to reinforce work completed in therapy.
References And Further Reading
- Elton, D., Burrows, G. D., & Stanley, G. V. (1978). Relaxation theory and practice. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 24(3), 143-149.