Now that New Year's resolutions have come and gone, it's a good time to focus on rejuvenating yourself. Instead of just resolving to exercise or eat right, think about how you can rejuvenate your spirit by taking better care of yourself. Following are some simple ways to rejuvenate your spirit.

Relaxation Breathing
Using breathing techniques to help your body relax and take your mind away from everyday worries. Practice relaxation breathing by taking a breath in through your nose as you count to four, hold it as you count to seven, and breathe out through your mouth while you count to eight. It may seem silly or uncomfortable at first, but relaxation breathing will feel more natural with practice. Slow, steady relaxation breathing can help you relax tense muscles and truly focusing on your breathing can help you break a cycle of negative thoughts. Breathing techniques can be done anywhere at anytime. Put aside 10 minutes during your day to focus on yourself.

Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that involves sitting or lying quietly and imagining yourself in a favorite peaceful setting (eg, beach, forest). Guided imagery, also called visualization, is more than just picturing your favorite peaceful setting—it's truly imagining yourself in that setting. Be as specific as possible. Imagine what sounds you hear, what sensations you feel (eg, cool or warm breeze), the textures you might feel, the sights you might see. The more specific your visualization, the higher level of relaxation you'll experience as your mind truly is "in" the relaxing place you're picturing.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressively relaxing your muscles is another technique that requires some practice but can help you achieve a state of complete relaxation. Begin by focusing on your toes and feet—deliberately tense the muscles in your toes and feet and then concentrate on letting the tension go in each muscle. Move your way up your body until you reach your head. Be careful about tensing areas in which you feel pain—if necessary, avoid those areas and focus on relaxing the rest of your body. When the rest of your body is relaxed, your pain areas won't feel as tense.

Yoga
It seems everyone is talking about yoga these days, and for good reason. Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and muscle tone, develop good deep breathing and relaxation techniques, and reduce stress. Yoga, developed 5,000 years ago, is an exercise that focuses on physical postures called "asanas" and breathing exercises called "pranayma." As with any exercise program, it's important to discuss yoga with your health care provider before beginning. It might help to begin your yoga practice in a class where an instructor can help you learn the postures and breathing. Yoga may not be for everyone, but it may be worth a try on your road to rejuvenation.

These are just a few of the techniques you can try to help rejuvenate yourself. There are many more, such as meditation, biofeedback, music therapy, and humor therapy to name a few. The most important things to remember are to find techniques that work for you and to make time for yourself to use them. You may not like relaxation breathing the first time you try it, but give it a chance to work. If you find you don't like it, maybe guided imagery is the relaxation technique that will work for you. Don't give up on finding a way to relax and rejuvenate and don't give up on yourself!

Sources:
The National Pain Foundation, www.nationalpainfoundation.org
Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain, second edition, edited by Jeffrey Rome, M.D.