TIGHT SHOULDERS?
If you feel like you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders... it's time to let it go.
Before you start reading I want you to take a HUUUGE breath in and as you let it out, shake the weight off your shoulders and move your head side to side, forward and back.
Repeat as many times as necessary ;).
In 2018 I felt a very heavy weight on my shoulders all year. Personally, I let go of it around July but it took an extra 4-5 months for everything else to be resolved.
I was in fight or flight mode for a very lengthy period. I'm now feeling much lighter and it's time to get my shoulders back to their happy and relaxed selves. So whilst I do that, I'd love to help anyone going through something similar.
STEP ONE: ACKNOWLEDGE THE WEIGHT
Emotional weight becomes physical weight.
This might manifest into the feeling of 'weight on your shoulders', excess weight on your body or a heavy chest.
We need to get to the root of it. We need to understand where it's stemming from. #nature
If it's obvious, great. If it's not? Journal. Keep writing until you see the answer on the paper before you.
Is it past or present? Can we let it go? Can we ask for help to share the load?
I was very aware of where mine was stemming from. Unfortunately there were quite a few steps in between noticing and resolving it - and there often is, so the quicker we can identify it the better!
STEP TWO: LET GO
It really should be as simple as deciding to LET GO and then LETTING GO. And it is. But here's a great book that goes into further detail. A book I highly recommend. Letting Go by David Hawkins.
STEP THREE: TREAT YO'SELF
Once you have eliminated any emotional weight from the equation, it's important to give back to your body and do everything you can to remove yourself from a fight or flight state.
When we are in protection mode, our muscles tense and our breathing becomes shallow and rapid. It's time to do the opposite. Deep breathing and more stretching!
Hop in front of your Get Bendy Poster and give back to the body that has been supporting you!
I'd also love for you to download and print Get Clear.
It's a checklist I created after learning to navigate feelings of anxiety and stress for many years.
My personal rule is that I'm not allowed to entertain uneasy or anxious feelings until I've ticked everything off.
Note: I usually feel 95x better simply after exercising... and that's only the third thing on the list!
STEP FOUR: GET STRONG
Strength and flexibility go hand in hand. We need a happy balance of both.
I love weight training at the gym because it makes me feel strong physically as well as mentally.
However, due to my shoulders being so tight (and lack of education) I have been incorrectly activating my back in a number of exercises.
I decided to book in with a personal trainer to address this issue and learn how and where to activate. You can watch that video over on my @ellefitactive Instagram
STEP FIVE: REMEMBER...
No amount of stretching or massage can solve the cause of our stress response, we need to address that first.
I hope these tips can help you. I would love for you to feel as light as a feather. And you can! It's how we arrived here and it's how we should stay.
Please leave a comment below if you found this blog beneficial and would like more.
Elle :)
Hi Elle, this was just what I needed to read right now. Thank you. I’ve been feeling anxious and highly strung for a few months now, as though I’m always on the go or have to rush around to fit everything in. Resulting in late nights, light sleeping, shallow breathing and tension! I am going to try and practice the things you’ve listed above :)
The ‘stress response’ you mentioned in your last paragraph- are you referring to the emotional issues that are making us tense?
I have incredible amount of tension in my shoulders resulting in weekly migraines. I find it hard to just let go as there is so much momentum behind my thought patterns.
Yes. You’re correct no matter what I’ve done to try and physically relieve this tension – it just doesn’t work.
Thankyou!! Another relatable and awesome post from you! I have been in constant flight mode for past month!!! This year’s crazy season has felt worse than ever. But it was my first yesr returning fulltime work since having kids and having about 8 years off too. Weight of the world be gone!
Hey Elle, love this post! Yes, I have super tight shoulders and this year I decided to do something about it. I have a long way to go still but feeling so much better for it. Keep up the good work <3
Elle, I loved this little blog post that came to my inbox this morning. At first I thought it was another advertisement for a Christmas sale as that’s all I’ve been getting as the holiday approaches, but when I opened it to read your blog I had a moment where it clicked that tightness in the body is a physical manifestation of stress, and that I need to get down to the root cause to feel better. Thank you!
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