If anyone has trouble with relaxation techniques based on breathing (as I do), try this one:
1. Find the pulse in your wrist.
2. Focus on the pulse and count it, one... two... one... two...
You can do this for as long as you like. I also have a night time version where I count the ticking of my clock, and one for walking down the road where I count my steps.
The counting allows me to push all those nasty intrusive thoughts out of my head, but without too much concentration.
It also has the advantage that you can do it anywhere, with your eyes open or closed.
1. Find the pulse in your wrist.
2. Focus on the pulse and count it, one... two... one... two...
You can do this for as long as you like. I also have a night time version where I count the ticking of my clock, and one for walking down the road where I count my steps.
The counting allows me to push all those nasty intrusive thoughts out of my head, but without too much concentration.
It also has the advantage that you can do it anywhere, with your eyes open or closed.