  In this work we propose a method for the structural relaxation of magnetic
materials in the paramagnetic regime, in an adiabatic fast-magnetism
approximation within the disordered local moment (DLM) picture in the framework
of density functional theory (DFT). The method is straight forward to implement
using any $ab$ $initio$ code that allows for structural relaxations. We
illustrate the importance of considering the disordered magnetic state during
lattice relaxations by calculating formation energies and geometries for an Fe
vacancy and C insterstitial atom in bcc Fe as well as bcc Fe$_{1-x}$Cr$_x$
random alloys in the paramagnetic state. In the vacancy case, the nearest
neighbors to the vacancy relax towards the vacancy of 0.16 {\AA} (-5% of the
ideal bcc nearest neighbor distance), which is twice as large as the relaxation
in the ferromagnetic case. The vacancy formation energy calculated in the DLM
state on these positions is 1.60 eV, which corresponds to a reduction of about
0.1 eV compared to the formation energy calculated using DLM but on
ferromagnetic-relaxed positions. The carbon interstitial formation energy is
found to be 0.41 eV when the DLM relaxed positions are used, as compared to
0.59 eV when the FM-relaxed positions are employed. For bcc
Fe$_{0.5}$Cr$_{0.5}$ alloys, the mixing enthalpy is reduced by 5 meV/atom, or
about 10%, when the DLM state relaxation is considered, as compared to
positions relaxed in the ferromagnetic state.
