Ever since reading George’s post, I’ve been noticing ways in which I have been (subconsciously) tensing muscles in my neck—and possibly around my vagus nerve and inside my head. I wonder if by tensing these muscles, I’m reducing blood flow.
(I can think of reasons why someone might learn to do this on purpose actually, eg in response to some social stress.)
So now I’m experimenting with relaxing those muscles whenever I notice myself tensing them. Maybe this increases blood flow, idk. It maybe feels a little like that.
Similar situation in my life...there are times when I am attempting to fall asleep and I realize suddenly that I am clenching my teeth and that there is considerable tension in my face. Beginning from my closed eyes down to my mouth I relax my facial muscles and I find it becomes easy for me to fall asleep.
In waking life too there are instances where I recognize my facial and bodily tension but I notice these situations less often than when I am trying to sleep. Being conscious of tension in my body and then addressing that tension when it occurs has on occasion made me calmer.
I am uncertain regarding the utility of more expensive interventions and or intensive investigations for alleviating tension, and have not really looked into it (but want to, somewhat).
Personal anecdote:
Ever since reading George’s post, I’ve been noticing ways in which I have been (subconsciously) tensing muscles in my neck—and possibly around my vagus nerve and inside my head. I wonder if by tensing these muscles, I’m reducing blood flow.
(I can think of reasons why someone might learn to do this on purpose actually, eg in response to some social stress.)
So now I’m experimenting with relaxing those muscles whenever I notice myself tensing them. Maybe this increases blood flow, idk. It maybe feels a little like that.
Similar situation in my life...there are times when I am attempting to fall asleep and I realize suddenly that I am clenching my teeth and that there is considerable tension in my face. Beginning from my closed eyes down to my mouth I relax my facial muscles and I find it becomes easy for me to fall asleep.
In waking life too there are instances where I recognize my facial and bodily tension but I notice these situations less often than when I am trying to sleep. Being conscious of tension in my body and then addressing that tension when it occurs has on occasion made me calmer.
I am uncertain regarding the utility of more expensive interventions and or intensive investigations for alleviating tension, and have not really looked into it (but want to, somewhat).