Progressive Muscle Relaxation To Treat Depression

Dr Robert A Anderson writes on Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training to treat depression in his book "Clinician's Guide to Holistic Medicine". This approach utilizes the perception of physical relaxation through a series of progressively tensing muscular contractions which is followed by sudden relaxation of different muscle groups in the body. A "letting go" effect is produced in this manner which can be enhanced by focusing on counting down from 5 to 1 while picturing each number in a different color. This method of emphasizing physical relaxation deters the mind from focusing on depressive cognitions while relaxing. It is also effective for calming the mind.