Tension
is the
result of physical or mental strain. When we are stressed,
the
muscles in our body tighten and become tense. When your body is unable
to combat the strain,
it can lead to health problems. Therefore, it is
essential to relieve stress
from your body in order to counteract the
tension. It is not always easy to recognize tension, but there are some
things you can do to see if you are tense.
Have your partner
or a friend gently rub your neck. By doing this a person can
tell
whether or not the neck muscles are tight. Tight neck muscles
are
a key indicator that you are dealing with tension.
Notice how you hold
your body. Are you tight in your movements instead of
fluid? Do you find you hold your shoulders up instead of
letting
them rest in a relaxed position? You can also purposely tense
up
a muscle and then completely relax it to see how the muscle was
different before you did the exercise.
Often tension
can lead to headaches which can last from a few minutes to several days
long. If you are having recurring headaches such as these it
is
important to make note of when they happen. Maybe they are
occurring after a stressful day at work or after an argument with
someone.
In order to fight
off tension, there are several things that can be done. One
of
the easiest and most relaxing ways is to learn deep breathing
techniques. Slowly inhale through the nose, filling your
lungs. Allow the air to stay in your lungs for a few seconds
and
then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Do this
consciously,
focusing only on your breathing. This can help to immediately
calm you. Do this several times during the day and if you do
it
long enough you will gradually begin to notice yourself breathing
deeper in general.
Stretching is
another great way to help relieve
tension. When we
hold things in
our muscles get tense. When the muscles are stretched out
they
begin to release tension. Doing a good morning and evening
stretch is great for the body, as is doing stretches throughout the
day. You can work on your entire body in the morning and
night,
and during the day take turns working on your legs, arms, neck,
etc. If you find you’re rushed, focusing on the
neck
best. This is where many people hold most of their tension.
Massage has long
been known to create a deep relaxation throughout the body.
It
can also be used to alleviate pain and improve a person’s
range
of motion, ensuring an even greater stretch. People who get
massages regularly find they sleep better at night, have improved
concentration, and witness more energy during the day.
The great thing
about our bodies is that they are very forgiving. When we
take
time for ourselves to do something healthy for our body we can usually
see or feel the rewards right away. Using the techniques
listed
above can help to release any tension you may be having and may also
give you relief
from tension
headaches.
