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UCSB MHP
  • Home
  • MHP Services
  • Workshops & Coping Strategies
    • Relaxation and Mindfulness updated
    • Reducing Stress >
      • Where is my stress coming from?
      • How do you know when you are stressed?
      • Coping with stress when it has already arrived
      • Reducing less healthy coping strategies
    • Sleep Hygiene
    • Getting Involved
    • MHP Blog Posts & Newsletter
    • Building Academic & Personal Resilience
    • Tackling financial challenges
    • Breakup Bootcamp
    • breakup bootcamp worksheet
    • Imposter Syndrome
    • Social Media and Mental Health
  • Navigating Teletherapy
  • Building & Maintaining Close Relationships
    • Basic Psychological Needs in Relationships
    • Romantic Relationships
  • Mental Health Concerns
  • Suicidal Thoughts & Behaviors
  • Unique Challenges for Specific Student Groups
    • Freshman Transition
    • 1st Generation College Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Dream scholars, undocumented students & their families
    • LGBTQPIA+ Students
    • International Students
    • STEM Students >
      • Women in STEM
    • Greek Life
    • Athletes
  • Making Changes & Navigating Transitions
  • Application to be an MHP
  • Counseling & Psychological Services
  • Contact
  • Wellness Apps & Books
UCSB MHP

Relaxation and Mindfulness

BUILDING YOUR PRACTICE

People who regularly stretch, practice progressive muscle relaxation, do deep breathing exercises and/or engage in other mindfulness techniques have shown reduced physical symptoms and psychological distress, enhanced daily functioning, increased well-being, and increased quality of life. Check out online resources to guide you through these exercises.
Mindfulness
Download the handout!
The practice of mindful meditation aims to develop a non-judgmental awareness of your body, breath, and thoughts. Incorporating mindful meditation into your daily routine has been backed by research, showing the numerous positive effects of, such as decreasing stress while increasing your ability to focus, cope with pain, and feel connected in your relationships. Join Dr. Danny Zamir, as he guides you through a mindful meditation.
​Working Through Difficulties
Download the handout!
Join Dr. Molly McDonald as she guides you through a Meditation for working through difficulties and finding and observing inner strength. This practice focuses on giving your body what it needs, such as confidence, relaxation, and peace, while letting go of what it doesn’t need, such as tension, stress, self-doubt, and pain. Through relying on breath, you can discover and recognize the calm and strength within yourself.
Deep Breathing
Download the handout!
In this exercise we are going to help you become more aware of your breathing and become mindful of what a deep breath versus a shallow breath feels like. The oxygen you get from deep breathing helps you to relax. This exercise can be done anywhere…in class, just before you go to bed. The more it is practiced, the more natural it will become, improving your
mind and body’s balanced rhythm.

MHP Relaxation Playlist

Listen to the spotify playlist created by the MHP's to foster relaxation!
Relaxation Playlist
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Download the handout!
Stress takes a toll on your body, causing an increase in muscle tension, blood pressure, heart rate. Through mindfully tensing and relaxing each muscle group, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) releases this tension and brings an awareness to physical sensations. Join one of our CAPS Mental Health Peers, as she guides you through PMR. 

Need help getting started with Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)?
No problem!
​Follow along with our slides below.

There's an app for that!

Perhaps check out some of our favorite apps
that can help you in your practice.
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Add to your weekly practice

Don't want to do mindfulness exercises alone? Check out weekly drop in sessions offered by Health & Wellness
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Didn't find what you were looking for above? Want to try out other exercises?
Check out the links below to explore other resources to find practices that best work for you.
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
UCSD Health Center for Mindfulness
Dartmouth Student Wellness Center
Self-Compassion Guided Meditations & Exercises
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