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How can I Reduce Muscle Tension?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

There are a number of causes of muscle tension, but the most common causes are stress and a sedentary lifestyle. For this reason, most techniques that are used to relieve tension in the muscles are also techniques that require relaxation, exercise, or a combination of the two. If you happen to work at a desk or computer for long hours every day, the muscle tension that you experience may be cause by sitting in the same position for long periods of time. You can combat this by getting up from your desk every hour or so and doing some simple stretching exercises. Also, consider taking part of your lunch hour and going for a walk.

Exercise in general is a great way to help reduce stress and relieve excess tension in the muscles. Some of the best exercises to relieve muscle tension are yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. These kinds of exercises promote relaxation and proper breathing, which are great ways to help reduce tension in the muscles. Using one of these kinds of exercises once a week is a great way to get fit, stay fit, and reduce muscle tension.

Relaxing and reducing stress can ease muscle tension.
Relaxing and reducing stress can ease muscle tension.

Some people turn to massage therapy to reduce muscle tension. Although massages can be expensive, they are a great way to relieve tension in the muscles. Before a massage, it is best to speak with the massage therapist about trouble areas and places that are most commonly troubled by excessive muscle tension. The therapist can then focus on treating these areas during the session. Despite the expense, many people budget for monthly and even weekly massage therapy sessions because of the health benefits of the treatment, including the reduction of tension in the muscles.

Going for a walk may help reduce muscle tension.
Going for a walk may help reduce muscle tension.

Another way to reduce muscle tension is to meditate. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress, help one feel more centered, and reduce excess tension in the muscles. For those who are not familiar with meditation, there are recordings that, when listened to, can guide one through the process. These recordings of guided meditations can be listened to on a daily basis, while lying down or sitting in a comfortable position. They can also be listened to while falling asleep at night.

Guided meditation recordings are quite cost effective because they can be used over and over again. They are also useful even for people experienced in using meditation for the purposes of relaxation.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for TheHealthBoard, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for TheHealthBoard, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

mutsy

@Comfyshoes- You can also try Tai Chi. I know a lot of people that swear by it.

comfyshoes

@Bhutan - I also heard that yoga is excellent to relieve sore muscles but you can also meditate. You would be surprised at how you can reduce stress muscle tension this way.

If you start your day with at least five minutes of peaceful moments where you do not even utter a word or watch television or listen to anyone else, you will become less stressed. You can build up your meditation time to about twenty minutes and it is so therapeutic that you will not want to miss a day.

You can even visualize how your day should go and this will help your perform better.

Bhutan

I sometimes I get muscle tension in my neck. Sometime it is a combination of neck pain and headaches. I sit at work all day long so I think that that is the source of my problem.

Neck muscle tension is really uncomfortable because you really cannot get in to a comfortable position at all. I have been trying to exercise more but some of my friends have said that yoga is really good for reducing muscle tension.

I just feel a little intimidated with all of those poses, but if it helps my sore muscles then it is worth it. I don't have muscle pain too often but when I do it is uncomfortable.

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    • Relaxing and reducing stress can ease muscle tension.
      By: Andreas P
      Relaxing and reducing stress can ease muscle tension.
    • Going for a walk may help reduce muscle tension.
      By: Syda Productions
      Going for a walk may help reduce muscle tension.
    • Yoga is a great way to relieve muscle tension.
      By: furmananna
      Yoga is a great way to relieve muscle tension.
    • Massage therapy can reduce muscle tension.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Massage therapy can reduce muscle tension.
    • Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and reduce excess tension in the muscles.
      By: kovaricekpavel
      Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and reduce excess tension in the muscles.