Which technique is represented by progressive muscular relaxation for reducing somatic anxiety?

• A. Breathing techniques
• B. Progressive muscular relaxation
• C. Biofeedback
• D. Visualization

Answer: (B)

Reducing somatic anxiety focuses on easing the physical signs of stress in the body. Progressive muscular relaxation does this by guiding you through a sequence of deliberately tensing and then releasing major muscle groups. The act of releasing tension after tensing helps reduce overall muscle tone and lowers physiological arousal—things like tight muscles, rapid breathing, and a racing heart. Because it directly targets bodily sensations and the physical manifestations of anxiety, this technique is used to reduce somatic symptoms. The other options address different approaches—breathing techniques influence breath, biofeedback uses devices to train control, and visualization uses mental imagery—but they don’t involve the explicit tense-and-relax routine that characterizes progressive muscular relaxation.