This is a skill that builds awareness of muscle tension in your body and allows you to release that tension when you want to. It helps to control stress and anxiety, relieve insomnia, and reduce symptoms of certain types of chronic pain. Progressive muscle relaxation is based upon the simple practice of tensing, or tightening, one muscle group at a time followed by a relaxation phase with release of the tension. In case you feel uncomfortable at any point of time, please stop immediately.