Your Body May Be Holding More Than You Think: Stress, Tension & Self-Awareness

Have you ever had one of those mornings when your body gets your attention before your mind even has a chance to catch up?

Well, that was me this morning. I woke up around 5 a.m. feeling pretty stiff, that familiar tightness that told me my body could use a little stretching before I jumped out of bed and started the day.

So, before I even got out of bed, I started stretching. I’ve been doing this kind of thing for years. I have a few stretches I naturally do each morning in bed, including what I think of as my little “L-shaped” stretch.

I lie on my side and position both legs to the side, creating an L shape with my body. Then I gently stretch from my hips, feeling the tension through my hips and legs. I don’t push hard. I simply go far enough to feel the stretch, hold it for a few seconds, and then release.

After the stretch, I also noticed that my sinuses were stuffed-up. That simple stretching routine got me thinking about something much bigger: We carry tension can without even realizing it. And that’s when I noticed something that really surprised me. My forehead was also tense too.

Our Body May Be Holding More Than You Think

Think about how often we move through our days without really checking in with our bodies. We wake up. We make coffee. We look at our phones and answer messages. We take care of our families, do errands, cook dinner, clean, etc. 

And while we’re doing all of that, our bodies are right there with us, responding to everything we’re experiencing. Our shoulders creep toward our ears maybe jaw tightens, or furrow our brow. Our body and hips become tight. Sometimes we sit for hours at our computers without even realizing how long we’ve been there. We may even hold our breath without noticing.

Because tension can happen gradually, we may not recognize that we’re carrying it until we finally stop.

Have you ever lightly pressed your fingertips against your forehead and suddenly realized how tense those muscles feel?  I could actually feel how much tension I had been holding there. I thought, how long have I been carrying this tension? And then I started thinking about everything that’s been on my mind lately.

Sometimes Stress Lives in the Background

I’ve had some recent health experiences that have made me pay much closer attention to my body. When I start to not feel great, I become aware that something in my body may need attention, I wonder what it means.

But somewhere underneath all of that was an awareness of my health and a desire to take better care of myself. Was it connected to everything I’ve been thinking about? I can’t say for certain. I’m not saying that every physical sensation is caused by emotions or stress. Our bodies are complicated, and physical tension can have many causes.

But for me, I believe there was a connection.

I’ve been a health-conscious person for most of my life. Actually, I’ve been a gym person for more than 50 years. There was a time when getting up at 4:30 in the morning to go to the gym was completely normal for me. I’d get there around 5 a.m., right when the doors opened.

I exercised. I lifted weights. I moved my body. I paid attention to what I ate. Being active wasn’t something I had to convince myself to do. It was simply part of my life.

Then life changed. I got a new gig and started working more hours. My schedule changed. Responsibilities changed. Eventually, I wasn’t exercising as consistently as I once had.

Ugh.

I definitely miss those 5 a.m. gym days sometimes. But I’ve also learned something important. Instead of simply asking, “What workout should I do?”

Now, I’m also asking, what is my body telling me? That’s a different question. And I think it’s an important one.

The Difference Between Pushing and Listening

There is a difference between challenging yourself and ignoring yourself.

I’ve always been someone who could push through a workout. There is a time for discipline. There is a time for strength. There are times when you have to tell yourself, “Come on. Let’s do this.” I think my body is saying that I need time to breathe and slow down.

It reminds me that I don’t always have to hold everything so tightly. Not just physically. But also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Healing Can Begin With Awareness

I believe there is something powerful about becoming aware of ourselves.

Not obsessively. Not fearfully. Just honestly.

We can notice our thoughts and our emotions. We should pay attention to  our physical sensations, when we’re tense or exhausted.

For me, self-care isn’t about pretending that everything can be solved with positive thinking. Life doesn’t work that way. Wouldn’t it be nice if it did?

Sometimes we need doctors. Sometimes we need testing, medication, supplements, or other appropriate professional support.

And we also need the simple things that help us reconnect with ourselves—rest, movement, prayer, meditation, gratitude, nourishment, and quiet.

I believe those things can coexist.

We can take our physical health seriously while also paying attention to our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. We don’t have to choose one or the other.

Sometimes We Need to Let Go

Maybe that’s the bigger lesson I’m taking from this morning. We don’t always realize what we’re carrying until we slow down enough to notice it.

Maybe it’s physical tension, mental stress. Or it could be our emotion we’ve pushed aside. Maybe it’s something we’ve been thinking about over and over again. Or just the weight of everyday life.

We don’t have to figure everything out at once. Sometimes we just need to breathe. To slow down. To notice. To become aware.

And then, when we’re ready, to let go of what we can.

Sometimes taking care of ourselves can be as simple as giving ourselves permission to pause. Because sometimes the path toward feeling better doesn’t begin with doing more. It begins with doing less—and letting go.

A gentle note: The ideas shared in this article are based on my personal experiences and spiritual practices. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical care.*

About Lourdes

Lourdes is an intuitive reader, spiritual coach, and podcast host. Listen to *8th Level Podcast* on your favorite podcast app, and follow Lourdes for more conversations and reflections on spirituality, entrepreneurship, self-care, and the journey of becoming more aware of ourselves.

This article was also published on Medium, visit Medium.com