A regular relaxation routine is a very helpful part of tinnitus treatment and can help you manage the stress that is often associated with tinnitus.
What has stress got to do with tinnitus relief?
Many people notice their tinnitus more when they are worried or tired, and this in turn increases their levels of anxiety and stress. This becomes a vicious circle. Many of the natural tinnitus remedies described in the tinnitus miracle report include some form of stress relief and relaxation techniques. It is now widely accepted that stress plays a key part in the way people react to their tinnitus. A certain amount of stress is vital to maintain the systems that alert us to possible dangers - for instance, those signals that tell us to leap out of the way of an oncoming car. However, in today's busy lifestyles there is a build up of 'stressors' - things that cause you intense pressure, tension or anxiety - which put both your body and mind on constant alert. You probably do not have enough time to relax and feel calm, so allowing your body and mind to rest. People react differently to different 'stressors', but your reactions to stress will happen whether you think about them or not.
What can be done about stress?
You can learn to control your responses to stress by using relaxation techniques. These are taught in many tinnitus clinics and audiology departments. You will also find local adult education classes teaching relaxation techniques, or you could try classes in meditation or yoga, for example, which can help you learn to relax. You can also buy guided relaxation cassettes and CDs from the RNID Tinnitus Helpline, or your local library may have some you can borrow.
Relaxation techniques can vary widely. They can include brief, 'time-out' exercises, which you can use if you are faced with a stressful event or as part of your everyday routine, or extended body and mind exercises, which create a sense of deep and total relaxation. These are usually practiced lying down, in quiet, peaceful surroundings.
Exercises can be physical, for example, tensing and releasing your muscles, or psychological - where you use your imagination to help you relax. Some form of breathing exercise is usually a key part of a relaxation routine.
