Final answer:
In progressive relaxation, a client follows instructions to tense and relax muscle groups, practices in a quiet environment, and focuses on calm, repetitive mantras and positive thoughts to achieve a deep state of relaxation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a progressive relaxation session, a client would experience instruction in sequentially tensing and relaxing various muscle groups until the entire body feels relaxed.
This process involves sitting upright on a comfortable chair with feet on the ground and body in a relaxed position, being in a quiet environment with eyes closed, repeating a mantra such as "alert mind, calm body," and passively allowing the mind to focus on pleasant thoughts.
Over time, this leads to a decrease in overall muscle tension and could contribute to a state akin to the early stages of sleep, marked by the presence of alpha and theta brain waves indicative of relaxation.