Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing, and Guided Imagery in Promoting Psychological and Physiological States of Relaxation

Research suggests that multiple forms of relaxation training (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, visualization, and autogenics) can help individuals reduce stress, enhance states, improve overall well-being. We examined three different, commonly used approaches to stress relaxation—progressive deep breathing, guided imagery—and evaluated them in a head-to-head comparison against each other control condition. Sixty healthy undergraduate participants were randomized one the four conditions completed 20 minutes or imagery was delivered by recorded audio instruction. Baseline follow-up assessment psychological states completed. Physiological also assessed continuously using measures electrodermal activity heart rate. Results showed all increased state for those groups, compared group. In case, increase statistically significant although groups did not differ on before training, significantly higher after as Progressive an immediate linear trend toward physiological group, group arousal followed quickly return initial levels. Our results lend support body research showing be effective improving at both level. Future could examine techniques similar manner designs where same samples.