The Results of the Grief Study
Dr. Mary Francis O’Connor’s lab conducted an intervention study looking at how widows and widowers responded to 2 different tools to help with grief. The results surprised the researchers, who expected Mindfulness training to be very helpful.
In reality, Mindfulness training helped, but Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) was even more helpful for people’s grief. It’s a body scan with the added focus of contracting then relaxing different muscle groups in the body while really noticing the difference. It’s often done with a guided audio that focuses the participant on the exercise.
She heard over and over, “I can use this tool now to help my body to get into a different state… and that helps my grief.“
Surprisingly Simple and Effective Relief for Grief
The widows and widowers in her study were grateful for the simple effectiveness of the PMR exercise. She found it fascinating that people in her study told her again and again that they were using Progressive Muscle Relaxation in any situation ––”I’m in the grocery store” / “I’m in a work meeting” / “I’m trying to fall asleep”––“I can use this tool now to help my body to get into a different state. And that helps my grief.”
The important part is feeling and really noticing, “What’s the difference between my clenched fist and my relaxed fist?” Participants repeatedly reported, “Oh! I didn’t even realize I had so much muscle tension.”
Ready to experience PMR?
Progressive Muscle Relaxation is wonderfully simple, and can be done anywhere!
Download my guided PMR audio…
About The Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) Practice
Progressive muscle relaxation is an exercise that reduces stress and anxiety in your body by
having you slowly tense and then relax each muscle. This exercise can provide an immediate
feeling of relaxation, but it’s best to practice frequently. With experience, you will become more
aware of when you are experiencing tension and you will have the skills to help you relax. During
this exercise, each muscle should be tensed, but not to the point of strain. If you have any
injuries or pain, you can skip the affected areas. Pay special attention to the feeling of releasing
tension in each muscle and the resulting feeling of relaxation.
Guided Audio of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) Exercise
I recorded the PMR Exercise for myself years ago when I was participating in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is used in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as the professional standard for healing generalized anxiety. I now offer this resource to help you reduce anxiety, stress, grief and pain.
The Mind Body Connection
PMR helps you to feel more connected to your body as you notice the sensations as you contract and then completely let go of tension.
Awareness is a Source of Nourishment
This kind of nonjudgmental attention that promotes “just noticing” the sensations of your experience is a magical place… where old stories, pain and suffering starts to unravel.
This is the foundation of deeper healing that I offer in my practices of Positive Intelligence® and Somatic Coaching.
irect awareness of your mind and body connection. feel more calm, connected, and safe to be with their experience in a simple way. to reduce anxiety and pain through embodied awareness (just fancy words for noticing your body!).
Buy the Audio: Progressive Muscle Relaxation, guided by Tina Tongen… or get it for free when you sign up for my newsletter.
When you sign for my newsletter, you’ll receive my audio recording which guides you through the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise.
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