My body is *constantly* tense

[ATownCalledGallus]

Whenever I stop paying attention to my body, I tense up. Including my face. Every time I stop and think about what's going on in my body, I realise that some part of it is utterly tense - shoulders, chest and/or face usually. And I've been having minor but annoying fluttery heart palpitations for a long time now, which I imagine is probably connected.

I already do quite a lot of yoga, and other exercise, but I think that clearly only has a short-term or temporary effect.

What I feel I need is some kind of biofeedback monitor - no idea if that's the right term or if such a thing exists! - which would 'buzz' me instantly as soon as my mind wanders and I start tensing up, which would train me out of it.

Or does anyone have any other ideas?

I am just the same OP. My shoulders are like concrete. Also get the palpitations although thank goodness they seem to have stopped for now. I had ECG etc and all looked fine. Lack of potassium can cause palpitations so have more banana / mushrooms. Also dehydration definitely makes it worse. When I remember to drink more and eat bananas it does ease off. At least you are doing the yoga. Well done! I can't seem to stay committed to it.....

If you think a massage may help then try beauty therapy colleges. The students often need models and charge far less than a salon/therapist...just a thought.

Whenever I stop paying attention to my body, I tense up. Including my face

Try botox between your eyebrows to stop you frowning - the sort of injections people have who are worried about "number 11" lines between their eyebrows.

I'm being absolutely serious - particularly if you think you have a habbit.

It stops you frowning which in turn has been shown to make people feel less tense and less stressed.

ttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/slightly-blighty/201509/can-botox-treat-depression-facial-expression-can-cure-you

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/slightly-blighty/201509/can-botox-treat-depression-facial-expression-can-cure-you

I use these but they might have some for under 50s.

They are soft, squishy and fruit tasting.

yes, here www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Soft-Jells-Women-Tablets/dp/B017MGL2GA/ref=lp_1700484031_1_4_a_it?srs=1700484031&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1545346231&sr=8-4

Walking outside for at least an hour a day, a swim in a warm pool and a glass of wine in the evening have all helped me with these physical stress symptoms.
I know exactly what you mean...it feel like all my muscles and sinews are being wound up like an elastic band

Oooo....and no sugar!

I feel like this OP, particularly around neck and shoulders, I feel I am physically carrying my head and neck around, like I have to concentrate on it.. I have found yoga very very good. Adrienne free on you tube if you're stuck for a nearby class. Like you I feel I have a build of years of tension :(

You could just be tense in how you approach life but the 'fluttery heart palpitations' add a layer to that. I agree with previous posters, look at magnesium levels, iron and vitamin D, also calcium levels too high can cause a fluttery heart feeling (but this is a rare enough reading). Just get some bloods done. Forget multivitamins, no point in adding in stuff that you are not deficient in. Also the usual thyroid suspect - hyperthyroidism can affect the heart in that manner.

What style of yoga do you do? They're not all good for relaxation. Try restorative or Yin rather than the more active forms - Yin is very good for focussing your attention on where you hold tension and learning to release it. It's not a quick process, though, takes practice.

For massage also check whether you have a sports college nearby, you can often get student physiotherapists inexpensively. Worth having a physio assess posture, too, that can make a difference.

I too know exactly what you mean. I didn't realise how tense I was physically until very recently although I probably always been to some extent as any masseuse whose got to my upper back/ne k has commented as extremely knotted I am there.

The only way to undo is to become conscious of it so its a case of practicing tlreminding yourself regularly. May e you can link it to make it a cup of tea, going to the toilet etc...

Exercise can actually make it worse depending on the type. What has helped me as suggested above is a long walk. I started last year and there is a point after about 1/2 hour when I finally feel my shoulders move down and my face relaxing. It's not a miracle cure just a bit of 'everything heps'. The best remedy is definitely a nice relaxing holiday!

Silentcrow not sure who your yoga question was for. I am doing a fairly full on yoga but the class is split into stretching, which is actually massive for my body, full on hard work and restorative at the end. But any good teacher will tailor the class and remind someone of what to avoid if they have issues or tell them when something's particularly effective for their issue. Obviously important to tell them at the beginning of the class.

but the 'fluttery heart palpitations'

On this - try giving up caffeine completely for about 4 months and see if you see any improvement. No caffeine at all - so no tea, decaf tea, no coke, diet coke etc.

Close relative had same issue and was advised to stop all caffeine and it went away.

May not be same issue obviously but worth a try. For some reason yu have to give it a few months though I think to see if it works.

mikado1 for the OP - hadn't spotted it was a zombie thread! Yes, you need to go with the yoga that works for your body; I do one basic class for strength building and one for fixing all the ridiculous nonsense martial arts puts me through but I find flow classes beyond my competence, for example. Actual stretching of muscles is something I do in the dojo anyhow. My yoga teacher is great at making adaptions too.

Hey actually you have problems with anxiety issues, I had the same few years ago. Actually this kind of anxiety is coming from too much of stress or emotional problems. Constant stress makes persons head, neck and shoulder muscles goes though lot of strain, when body couldn't hold on these things it takes the form " anxiety".
It's your choice to be stressed or keeping your self calm and its your choice to be how you are going react to the situations Infront of you, know where to put comma and fullstop. More you learn to relax and let go soon all these symptoms go away and even blissfulness starts to blossoms. everything will be fine

Did you ever find an answer for your symptoms? I have similar issues and am also anemic.