Adapted from The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, by Edmund J.
Bourne 1
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script
Progressive muscle relaxation is an exercise that relaxes your mind and body by progressively tensing
and relaxation muscle groups throughout your entire body. You will tense each muscle group
vigorously, but without straining, and then release the tension and feel the muscle relax.
You will tense each muscle for about 5 seconds. If you have any pain or discomfort at any of the
targeted muscle groups, feel free to omit that step.
Throughout this exercise you may visualize the muscles tensing and a wave of relaxation flowing
over them as you release that tension. It is important that you keep breathing throughout the
exercise.
Now let’s begin.
Begin by finding a comfortable position either sitting or lying down in a location where you will
not be interrupted.
Allow your attention to focus only on your body. If you begin to notice your mind wandering,
bring it back to the muscle you are working on.
Take a deep breath through your abdomen. As you breathe in, notice your stomach rising and
your lungs filling with air. Then, hold your breath for a few seconds, and now exhale slowly.
As you exhale, imagine the tension in your body being released and flowing out of your body.
And again inhale….and exhale.... Feel your body already relaxing.
As you go through each step, remember to keep breathing.
Now let’s begin. Tighten the muscles in your forehead by raising your eyebrows as high as you
can. Hold for about five seconds. And abruptly release feeling that tension fall away.
Now smile widely, feeling your mouth and cheeks tense. Hold for about 5 seconds, and release,
appreciating the softness in your face.
Next, tighten your eye muscles by squinting your eyelids tightly shut. Hold for about 5 seconds,
and release.
Gently pull your head back as if to look at the ceiling. Hold for about 5 seconds, and release, feeling the
tension melting away.
Now feel the weight of your relaxed head and neck sink. Breathe in… and out. Breathe in… and out;
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Adapted from The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, by Edmund J. Bourne
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Let go of all the stress. Breathe in…and out... Breathe in… and out....
Now, tightly, but without straining, clench your fists and hold this position until I say stop. Hold for
about 5 seconds, and release.
Now, flex your biceps. Feel that buildup of tension. You may even visualize that muscle tightening.
Hold for about 5 seconds, and release, enjoying that feeling of limpness.
Now tighten your triceps by extending your arms out and locking your elbows. Hold for about 5
seconds, and release.
Breathe in... and out... Breathe in…and out...
Now lift your shoulders up as if they could touch your ears. Hold for about 5 seconds, and quickly
release, feeling their heaviness.
Tense your upper back by pulling your shoulders back trying to make your shoulder blades touch.
Hold for about 5 seconds, and release.
Tighten your chest by taking a deep breath in, hold for about 5 seconds, and exhale, blowing out all
the tension.
Now tighten the muscles in your stomach by sucking in. Hold for about 5 seconds, and release.
Gently arch your lower back. Hold for about 5 seconds, and relax.
Feel the limpness in your upper body letting go of the tension and stress, hold for about 5 seconds,
and relax.
Tighten your buttocks. Hold for about 5 seconds…, release; imagine your hips falling loose.
Tighten your thighs by pressing your knees together, as if you were holding a penny between them.
Hold for about 5 seconds…and release.
Now flex your feet, pulling your toes towards you and feeling the tension in your calves. Hold for
about 5 seconds, and relax, feel the weight of your legs sinking down.
Curl your toes under tensing your feet. Hold for about 5 seconds, release.
Now imagine a wave of relaxation slowly spreading through your body beginning at your head and
going all the way down to your feet.
Feel the weight of your relaxed body. Breathe in…and out... Breathe in…and out... Breathe in…and out.
Feeling relaxed and grounded in this present moment.
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