Have you ever noticed how stress settles into your body? Maybe your shoulders creep toward your ears, your jaw tightens, or your stomach feels knotted. We often carry tension without even realizing it—until we pause and tune in.

One simple way to support your nervous system is progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). This practice involves gently tensing and releasing different muscle groups, bringing awareness to where you’re holding tension and inviting your body into deeper relaxation. It’s a powerful way to settle when you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or wired.

The beauty of PMR is in its accessibility. I like to do it lying down at the end of a yoga practice or end of my day. You can do a full-body scan, working from your feet up, or just focus on one area—like clenching and releasing your fists if you feel tension in your hands imaging stress melting with each release.

This week, I’ve recorded a guided PMR practice. I invite you to give it a try as your self-care tool this week. Click here to listen. Notice how your body responds—there’s no wrong or right.

Self-care isn’t about forcing yourself to feel a certain way—it’s about offering your body what it needs in the moment. Let me know how PMR works for you!

Warmly,
Elana