The first step of relaxation

Let's make a first easy exercise. Obviously you can't do this and at the same time continue to read this article. So first read the explanation of the exercise and then do it. If you're not sure if you did it right, then come back, read it again and try again. I'm pretty sure you will notice when you did it right. Above all in these early stages of relaxation it's important to try to get a grip on yourself, the way you will manage to get in a state of relaxation.

Just some basic rules or personal experiences that may make your experience better and at some point also easier:

1. Find yourself the right place to relax. A comfortable chair is suitable.
2. If you're not home alone and people are around you, tell them to give you a moment and leave you to yourself,
3. Turn off cellphones, Blackberries, computers, TV, radios or whatever other source of noise there may be
4. It may help to turn on some background music so that you can focus on the task. Classical music is good, above all from Mozart or Bach - I'll explain later why.

But enough of long talks, let's head into a first easy task which will be an easy one, divided in two parts:

Exercise N°1a 

Close your eyes for one minute approximately and just experience what happens. Remember anything that you see, hear, feel without trying to interpret it. Just realize what happens.

If necessary, right down what happened. It may be usefull, above if you know that you have a hard time remembering things. Once you are done, go on directly to this second exercise:

Exercise N°1b

Close your eyes for one minute and try NOT TO THINK OF ANYTHING. 

Just focus on not thinking at all.

There again, once you're finished, think about what happened and how you experienced it. I'll run you through some possible results and facts you may have experienced during the exercise. So for now:

Close your eyes and relax!