Three Simple Tension-Tamers

[Guest guest]

Three Simple Tension-Tamers

Adapted from 365 Ways to Relax Mind, Body, and Soul, by

Barbara L. Heller (Storey Books, 2000).

 

Do you ever get stressed and tense? Can you sometimes feel a

tension headache coming on? No matter where you are--in a

crowded office or subway, or sitting alone at home--here are three

easy things you can do right now to help yourself relax.

 

1. Shoulder Shrugs. Don't carry the weight of the world; shrug

it off! Shoulder shrugs are easy stretches that release tension

from your upper body. You can do them while either sitting or

standing.

 

a. Inhale and tighten your shoulders, pulling them up toward

your ears.

 

b. Exhale and gently release.

 

c. Repeat three times.

 

2. Self-Massage. Prolonged desk work causes tight shoulders

and upper arms. Take a minibreak and rub the stress away

with a self-massage.

 

a. Place your left hand on your right shoulder.

 

b. Gently knead the muscles between your neck and arm.

 

c. Squeeze. Hold for a few seconds, then release.

 

d. Continue to gently squeeze and rub along your shoulder and

upper arm.

 

e. Repeat on your left side.

 

3. Headache Tamer. Tame tension headaches--or head them off at

the pass--with this simple technique.

 

a. Place your index and middle fingers of both hands at the

outer edges of your eyebrows and on the indentations of

your temples.

 

b. Rub in small circular movements.

 

c. Increase the pressure and hold for a count of 2.

 

d. Release; repeat as necessary.