“It’s not about managing your emotions. It’s about managing the reaction to your emotions,” I came across this quote from Yung Pueblo when I was suffering from a headache. I realized that I had a headache because I was suppressing anger and frustration. Instead of understanding and expressing these emotions, I was simply trying to get rid of them. The result? Headache.
All too often, we keep negative emotions inside, leading to tension in our muscles and inner stress. This pent-up tension typically settles in our shoulders and neck, ultimately resulting in a headache. It feels like a lid on a jar with too much pressure. How can you recognize and alleviate this pressure? Try following these three steps:
START WITH AWARENESS
Acknowledge the emotions at play and ask yourself: why am I so angry or frustrated? What triggered me? Take a moment for these questions. It helps to write your answers down so you can discover a pattern.
MOVE
Movement and physical relaxation play a key role. Make gentle movements with your head and neck to reduce tension. Or softly massage the back of your head or your temples. A walk can also help relax both your body and mind, because you literally remove yourself from the situation that initially caused your headache.
BREATHE
Pay attention to your breath. Deep and calm breathing can reduce built-up tension and relax your shoulders. Try to inhale for four counts and exhale for four counts. If that feels okay, you can even extend your outbreath to an 8-count breath.
“It’s not about managing your emotions. It’s about managing the reaction to your emotions.” You can relieve headaches by being mindful of your emotions and the tension they cause.
Curious about specific movements and techniques that can help reduce this tension and alleviate your headache? Book an intake. I’ll be happy to share them with you.