“I didn’t realise I was carrying so much tension! Why an I so tense?”
This is a common phrase I hear in my practice. Oftentimes, a client will come in for a massage, and when I work on their legs, for example, they’ll be surprised by the tenderness in their feet, calves, thighs, and hips. They might wonder, “Where did all this tension come from? I didn’t even feel it before!”
And when they ask me this, I always say that we all accumulate tension just by being human. Here are some reasons why:
Daily Stressors: Our lives are full of small and not-so-small stressors. Deadlines, traffic jams, arguments, and even celebrations or seemingly mundane tasks can all contribute to chronic tension buildup.
Posture: Many of us spend our days hunched over computers, phones, or steering wheels. The way we move, sit and stand puts a strain on specific muscle groups. Over time, this can lead to tension, pain and discomfort.
Lack of Movement: Our lifestyles often involve a lot of sitting and not enough physical activity. This can lead to stiff and inflexible muscles that are more prone to tension buildup.
Sleep Deprivation: When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies don’t have adequate time to repair and recover. This can also lead to fatigue and tension.
Unresolved Trauma: Sometimes, physical tension can be a manifestation of past trauma. Bottled-up emotions, shock trauma, even the feeling that we cannot freely speak up our mind can contribute to muscle tightness.
And the thing is, whatever you do, you will most likely accumulate tension. It is inevitable. There will be always challenging times when we are going to be pushed out of balance, stretched thin, overloaded and overwhelmed. So the question is what can we do then to come back to equilibrium, how do we release the tension?
What is your way to relax and destress?
If massage comes to mind for you, do get in touch to book a treatment.
Massage therapy can be a wonderful tool for relieving tension and promoting relaxation. Massage helps to improve circulation and range of motion. It can help you feel longer and looser, calmer and well rested.
