‘Tis the season for tension by Dr. Hailey Jackson

 

Things can get a little crazy this time of year— change in routine, kids being out of school, and the expense of the holiday season. Stress levels have a tendency to increase, and said stress has a tendency to manifest as tension stored in the body. Specifically, the muscles in the upper neck and traps, the muscles in the jaw, and the muscles in the pelvis can become more tense in response to stress. 

 

Symptoms of muscular tension include headaches, jaw pain, pain in the upper shoulder region or lower neck region, urinary urgency and frequency, constipation/diarrhea, or pelvic pain. 

 

Simply being aware of where your body holds onto stress can help tremendously. If you are feeling the overwhelm of the holiday season, try taking 5-10 diaphragmatic breaths (not chest breaths, but truly using your diaphragm), and also simply paying attention to your body every time you take a drink of water and intentionally relaxing the muscles that carry your tension will help.