I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

16. I’m very restless. What can I do?
Sometimes the cure for
restlessness is just rest
- Colleen Wainwright -
Restlessness and feeling nervous or anxious often come
together with depression. You’ll feel better as your treatment
progresses. The following are some ways for you to practice
relaxation and cope with restlessness:
• 1. Learn to elicit ‘Relaxation Response (RR).’ This is a term
coined by Professor Dr. Herbert Benson (Harvard physician),
referring to a relaxed state of mind and body. All of us are
capable of eliciting RR – here’s the 4-step method:
n Find a quiet environment.
n Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
n Place your attention on any ‘mental device.’ This can be
sound (e.g. wind chime), word (e.g. “Relax”), phrase (e.g. “All
is well…”), prayer (e.g. chanting), fixed gaze (e.g. candle
flame), mental image (e.g. fresh flower), breathing or even
movement (e.g. walking). This helps to restrain the mind
from wandering restlessly.
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