Resting stress face

[LuciferRising]

Anyone successfully overcome this?

My face aches. Cheekbones jaw, etc. I just can't relax it at all and always look tense. I meditate, exercise etc.

What can I do?

@LuciferRising, keep doing what you're doing!

I haven't had this problem with my face but have had very tight muscles (to the point that I haven't been able to reach around to undo my bra). I started stretching properly, using foam rollers and other massage tools, and took up yoga and pilates. Things improved hugely over just a few weeks.

If you've been trying things for a few weeks already, then it sounds like it's time to start looking for new solutions while continuing with the ones you're already using. Have you tried massaging your face and neck? Can you afford to find a hot yoga class or a sauna or a massage therapist? Can you afford a couple of sessions with a personal trainer and/or physiotherapist? I'd start there if possible.

I can get boring about weight-lifting and/or resistance exercise, but I do think it's very helpful. Maybe it would help to really challenge your body with a new exercise regime and then stretch. It might help wear you out or shock your body to the point your muscles are not automatically engaging in those old habits of locking up. I have a stressful job and this works for me with non-facial muscles.

Urgh I could have written this post. I notice I’m clenching my jaw as default now. I really have to force it to relax and then it springs back to clench when I stop thinking about it! My jaws ache constantly.

I started CBD oil a few months ago which has helped generally with tension but I still clench!

Get an electric heated pad for your pillow. The heat really helps. Am on my fourth one here!
Jaw-clenching HURTS.

There's an exercise that really relaxes both face and mind, once you've got the hang of it. Essentially you're trying to let your jaw be just relaxed enough that your lips are relaxed and your teeth are not clenched, then you blow out in such a way that your lips flap ridiculously. Because it's so difficult not to laugh and then tense up when you are learning to do this, you can help yourself by sticking your index fingers gently into your cheeks. Once you've got the hang of it, you can go up and down scales, try to blow a tune, try to blow for as long as possible. Just have fun with it.

It is both physically and mentally relaxing.

NB It is possible to blow and make your lips flap while clenching the jaw. Obviously, you try to avoid doing this. It's still funny, but not necessarily helpful for your jaw!

My tongue aches too!

I bought a massage gun (theragun) and use it every day. It cured my jaw clenching and general aches and pains within 2 weeks. And I no longer say ‘oof’ when I get up from a chair 😀

Gua sha each night before bed to relax my jaw