muscle tension?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-21-2006
muscle tension?
3
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 4:15pm
does anyone know of amny good ways to help your muscles from being so tense?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
In reply to: melg33
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 5:42pm

Hi,

I think some of the breathing exercises, meditation and there are also specific muscle exercises that all help. I'll sometimes take a hot bath or shower if I have time or try some other relaxation techniques. Anything that helps stress, helps anxiety is usually useful with my muscle tension too.

I get it pretty tight in my jaw muscles and shoulders.

If I find a link for the muscle exercises, I'll try to post it. My teacher in General Psych demonstrated some.

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: melg33
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 7:55pm

Everything that Dee has suggested is successful.


Here is what I do. I focus on my head, neck & shoulders, as I practice my breathing. I tense all my muscles, then relax them. Telling myself to relax the muscles as if I was a rag doll. I repeat it several times, each time tensing & relaxing more. Then, I go to my right arm. Do the same. Then, my left arm. Tense & relax until I feel like that rag doll. Then, my chest. Middle. Back. Each leg. Ankles & feet. You can start from the bottom & work up if you like, Melissa. Keep the image of the rag doll in your head.


Also, I use aromatherapy to relax. The scents of lavendar, citrus(orange, lemon & bergamot)

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
In reply to: melg33
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 9:35pm
Dee and Jan had great suggestions, so I'll just add one. When I find that I'm holding tension in my muscles, I often times with take a few minutes to stretch out really well. A few deep breaths, followed by stretching every muscle group I can think of helps tremendously. If I'm going for all out relaxation, I will do more relaxation exercises after that, but so many times, I notice the tension while I'm at work, or out and about, so a few quick stretches in the areas that are feeling tense help alot.