Have a technique that reliably (as in, almost EVERY TIME), gets you into the state you want.

If you are able to do that, after a while, you simply won’t need the technique. You’ll be able to “find” that state inside of you, in the same way you can “find” balance on a bicycle because you’ve become so familiar with balancing a bike.

One technique that’s effective for finding light states of relaxation, is easy: remember, as vividly as you can, a time when you were relaxed.

Maybe it’s at the beach, or floating on a boat, resting in bed… whatever memory you have. Feel into that memory with as much detail as you can and you’ll probably relax by 20% in a minute.

Or, here’s another technique; one that takes advantage of the brain’s love of physical metaphors — let your fingertips brush gently and slowly over some smooth object (I use my laminate desk).

Because the mind associates “smooth” with relaxation and ease, if you do that for 10-20 seconds, your mind/body will probably relax as well.

What do you experience with these  simple “tips?”