A nurse is teaching a client about meditation and progressive relaxation to reduce stress. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. Keep eyes open during relaxation therapy: Keeping the eyes closed is typically recommended during relaxation and meditation to help focus and avoid external distractions. Keeping the eyes open can interfere with the ability to achieve a relaxed state. B. Tighten and relax muscles during relaxation therapy: Progressive muscle relaxation involves tightening and then relaxing each muscle group to help reduce tension and promote relaxation. This technique helps increase body awareness and alleviate stress. C. Plan to meditate immediately after meals: Meditating immediately after meals can be uncomfortable because it may cause indigestion or distract from the relaxation process. It’s better to meditate when the stomach is not full to avoid discomfort. D. Take short and shallow breaths when meditating: Deep and slow breathing is a key component of meditation and relaxation techniques. Short and shallow breaths can increase stress rather than reduce it, as they may activate the body's "fight or flight" response. Deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation.