How often do you check in with your body throughout the day? I’m not talking about “am I tired?” or“have I eaten?” I mean intentional check-ins like “am I clenching my jaw right now?” because the truth is, most of us are holding tension we’re not even aware of. 

I had to learn this the hard way because a couple of months ago I had this awful toothache that shocked me really because not to brag, but I have PERFECT teeth! I thought maybe I needed a filling or worse a root canal, my heart was shattered when the dentist told me I was grinding my teeth in my sleep. You’re telling me people are sleeping and I’m grinding my tooth enamel off? Yikes! 

I realised that even when my body was resting my stress wasn’t, I was carrying so much that it followed me into my dreams. The pain in my jaw? It wasn’t just dental but It was emotional and it was mental.

Sometimes we clench because we’re carrying too much. You might notice it if you wake up with a sore jaw or face, have tightness in your neck and shoulders, keep getting tension headaches, bite your inner cheek without realising or catch yourself holding your breath throughout the day.

Your jaw wasn’t designed to be a stress vault, neither was your back, your gut or your sleep. Give yourself permission to soften, to stop carrying the day in your mouth and to stop fighting your way through every moment.

Here’s something you can try:
1.Relax your shoulders

2.Unclench your jaw

3.Unclench your hands

4.BREATHE

You deserve to rest, to breathe and to let go. Your softness is your power and it starts with that little release right in your jaw.

With love & a relaxed face,

Nqobile.