Tension headaches, stiff neck, hunching shoulders, tightness in your chest and back. Check, check, and check. These are the classic symptoms of stress. If you're like me, you hold it in your upper back, shoulders and neck. I get headaches, a stiff neck, and my chest feels tight. I feel like I have to stretch constantly and am rubbing my neck all the time. It even causes eye strain, dizziness and jaw pain. I am a stress-case. Let's face it, sometimes I completely suck at managing my stress until it's hurting me.
Recently, my husband and I were on a walk and I started to feel dizzy. My stress levels had been through the roof, and I felt like my neck was weak. I could tell it was all tension-related when I had him rub my neck for a second and I felt like I was going to fall down. We finished our walk, and I decided I couldn't let this last any longer. I pulled up the Youtube app on my AppleTV and searched "yoga for neck pain". This video popped up, and I decided to give it a shot. Twenty minutes later, I was feeling some relief. My neck was loosening, my under arm and chest muscles were opening, and my back was relieved. I was still very tense but grateful for the beginning stages of relief. As tight as my muscles were, it would take more than one twenty minute session.
If you're feeling the tightening of your muscles in your upper body, try this video by YogaTX. I highly recommend it. Your body will thank you and your stress will melt away.
Also, you'll be happy like this guy below. Trust me, it's a win-win.
Also, you'll be happy like this guy below. Trust me, it's a win-win.
++ How do you relieve your upper body muscle tension? If you do yoga, what are your favorite stretches for necks and shoulders?
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