Ask Inner Health Studio

How to Use a Relaxation Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:34:10 PDT

The Relaxation Journal will allow you to monitor your physical and emotional symptoms and
evaluate the effectiveness of the relaxation techniques you try. Here's how to use it.

Update: I will be publishing my first relaxation CD. Right now I'm in the recording phase, so I'll be putting this podcast on hold for a while. The Relaxation by Inner Health Studio podcast (with relaxation scripts) will continue once a week as usual. Please continue to send your questions and I will include them in future episodes of Ask Inner Health Studio.

Differences Between Relaxation and Unwinding

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:11:20 PDT

Most people say "I know how to relax." But do you really?

Discusses the differences between relaxation and unwinding, and the benefits of each.

Visualization, Guided Imagery, and Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:38:00 PDT

What are the differences between visualization, guided imagery, and meditation? Tips for using these relaxation techniques.

How to Get Better Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:04:11 PDT

Question: I would like some ways to help me relax at night so I can get a better sleep.

This episode discusses some strategies for improving sleep.

Learn to Relax: Personalized Relaxation Scripts

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:05:06 PDT

How to create personalized relaxation scripts. Discusses the elements that compose a relaxation script - induction, body (relaxation technique), and conclusion.

The final episode (#10) in the Learn to Relax series.

Learn to Relax: Is Relaxation Enough?

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:04:05 PDT

In recovery from physical illness, mental illness, stress overload, panic attacks, and anxiety, is relaxation enough? A look at the role of relaxation in the context of wellness and stress management. Part 9 of the Learn to Relax series.

Learn to Relax: Making Relaxation Practical

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:42:53 PDT

When learning to relax, it can be challenging to make relaxation practical, and incorporate relaxation into your routines. Many people who try to learn to relax comment that they are not able to actually relax, saying "relaxation doesn't work for me," or "I'm too busy to sit and do nothing." Here are three things to consider that will help you make relaxation practical.

This is part 8 of the Learn to Relax series.

Music Relaxation Exercise

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:23:04 PDT

The purpose of this music relaxation script is to find out how different styles of music affect your mood and energy level. This is an expressive media exercise, that is, using media for self expression.

Learn to Relax: Using Music with Relaxation Scripts

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:21:48 PDT

How to use music for relaxation purposes. Describes the required characteristics of music for relaxation and the effects of different styles of music on mood and energy level.

Part 7 of the Learn to Relax series.

Learn to Relax: Relaxation and Trauma

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:17:02 PDT

This is part 6 of the Learn to Relax series. In this episode I will discuss the concept of relaxation and trauma, and some of the challenges associated with using relaxation techniques to cope with panic.

Learn to Relax: Relaxation and Hypnosis

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:30:06 PDT

This is part 5 of the Learn to Relax series. A listener asks: "What is the difference between hypnosis and guided relaxation?" Find out some of the similarities and differences between relaxation and hypnosis.

This episode also addresses the common concern of maintaining control over your own mind by discussing ways to use guided relaxation or hypnosis safely and by exercising informed choices.

Learn to Relax: Biofeedback

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:06:37 PDT

How to know when relaxation techniques are working. Using biofeedback at home - without expensive equipment.

Part 4 of the learn to relax series: biofeedback - what it is, why it can be useful, and how to do some biofeedback at home to measure your physical level of relaxation.

Learn to Relax: Recognizing Early Warning Signs of Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:14:48 PST

Part 3 of the Learn to Relax series. Do you know how to recognize when you are starting to experience the effects of stress, so that you can deal with it BEFORE it becomes a problem or you experience burnout? Do you know what your early warning signs are?

Find out how to recognize stress early and review some of the ways you can deal with the problem before it even starts, and how to manage stress once burnout has occurred.

Learn to Relax: How to Relax

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:37:21 PST

How to Relax: A basic introduction to relaxation techniques. Part 2 of the Learn to Relax Series. Relaxation is a skill. This means that relaxation is something that can be learned and practiced, it is something we are not necessarily just born knowing how to do, and we often are not good at it at first. Each person has the ability to learn to relax, but not everyone will relax the same way.

Here is an overview of some of the relaxation techniques you might want to try.

Learn to Relax: What is Relaxation?

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:33 PST

What is Relaxation? Part 1 of the Learn to Relax Series. Relaxation is the act of relaxing the mind and body, and can also be defined as the state of being relaxed. Find out what is going on with your body when you relax.

Visit www.innerhealthstudio.com for more details about the Learn to Relax series.

Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Relaxation - Ask Inner Health Studio: Episode 3

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:26:29 PST

Does relaxation help with sleep? How can I reset my circadian rhythms? Listen to the answer here.

Episode 2: Worrying

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Dear Inner health studio,

How do I stop myself from thinking that if I don't worry and try to relax that I must not be caring enough for my family?
I feel like I must have to worry, that's my job as a Mother isn't it?
Also, what busy Mom has time to relax anyways? It is more important to take care of my family than it is to worry about myself.
Thanks,
From the Martyr

Dear Martyr.... (listen to the answer here)

Read the answer in the show notes for this episode.

Audio Podcast: Ask Inner Health Studio - Episode 1: Recognize and Control Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:09:10 PDT

The question:

Dear Inner Health Studio,

I am plagued with headaches, stomachaches and heart palpitations. I don't deliberately make myself sick but I think that my mind is more responsible for the way that I'm feeling rather than an actual physical ailment.

Is there any way I can train myself to recognize when stress is causing physical symptoms and learn how to control it?

I have no patience for yoga, stretching or sitting still because I feel like I need to be busy doing something.

thanks!

Your devoted listener. (sometimes) hahahaha

Lulu

Listen to the answer here!

Link to show notes.

Ask Inner Health Studio - Episode 1: Recognize and Control Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:55:17 PDT

Ask Inner Health Studio: Episode 1. This will be released as an audio podcast on November 1.

Dear Inner Health Studio,

I am plagued with headaches, stomachaches and heart palpitations. I don't deliberately make myself sick but I think that my mind is more responsible for the way that I'm feeling rather than an actual physical ailment. Is there any way I can train myself to recognize when stress is causing physical symptoms and learn how to control it? I have no patience for yoga, stretching or sitting still because I feel like I need to be busy doing something. thanks! Your devoted listener. (sometimes) hahahaha Lulu

~ ~ ~

Dear Lulu,

It must be hard to admit that some of your thinking patterns might be contributing to your physical symptoms. Good for you for having the courage to consider this possibility. The reason this takes courage is because if our thoughts contribute to illness, there might be steps that we can take to contribute to our own wellness - and this is hard work.

Headaches, stomach aches, and heart palpitations can be symptoms of anxiety or of stress overload. See this page for details about the symptoms of anxiety. The fist step is to visit your medical doctor for a thorough checkup to rule out treatable physical conditions.

You're right on track for the next step, which is to train yourself to recognize when stress is causing physical symptoms. We all have our own early warning signs of stress. You might notice a particular symptom that...

Read more... (goes to Inner Health Studio for podcast show notes)

Question for listeners/readers - have you ever felt the way Lulu described? Do you have any advice for him or her? For those of you who can't stand to be still and need to be busy - how do you unwind? Questions and comments are appreciated. You can send them to via the Inner Health Studio contact form or post them here as a comment.

noreply@blogger.com (Candi Raudebaugh, Inner Health Studio) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:06:16 PDT

Welcome to Ask Inner Health Studio!

I'm Candi, from Inner Health Studio. Visit www.innerhealthstudio.com to ask questions about coping with stress, relaxation, or living the life that is important to you. I'll respond to your questions and post questions and answers here and in audio podcasts.