As an executive mom, stress is often just part of your daily life. Managing career demands, family needs, and everything in between means you’re constantly ‘on’. But what if that mental load is doing more than just exhausting you mentally? In this blog, lets discuss how stress and anxiety can create physical tension or pain in your head, neck and jaw.
Stress and anxiety can create real, physical tension in your neck and jaw and it can build up without you even realising it. If you’ve been waking up with a sore jaw, tight shoulders, or a stiff neck, your body might be holding onto emotional stress in very physical ways. Here’s how it happens and what you can do about it:
Shallow Breathing Magnifies Neck and Jaw Tightness:
When you're stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid, relying heavily on your neck and upper chest muscles instead of your diaphragm.
What Happens:
- Your neck muscles stay semi-contracted all day long.
- Shallow breathing reinforces jaw clenching and neck stiffness.
Small Shift:
- Practice deep belly breathing for just 2-3 minutes a few times a day, especially before high-stress meetings or busy evenings.
- Practice mini posture resets: gentle chin nods and align your ears over your shoulders several times a day.
Watch this video to learn if you have a good Sitting Posture?
Unconscious Habits Keep Tension Stuck:
Many executive moms develop unconscious habits like jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or slouching their shoulders, especially when stressed, without realising it.
What Happens:
- Micro-tension builds in the jaw, neck, and shoulders.
- These areas stay locked up even while you sleep, leading to morning stiffness and discomfort.
Small Shift:
- Set reminders to check in with your jaw and shoulders throughout the day. Relax your jaw, unclench your teeth, and lower your shoulders.
Your Body Internalises Stress as Muscle Tension:
When you're under constant pressure, your body shifts into ‘fight-or-flight’ mode, even if there’s no immediate danger.
What Happens:
- Your nervous system signals your muscles to brace for action.
- The muscles around your head, neck, shoulders, and jaw tighten up as a protective response.
- Over time, this tension becomes your ‘new normal’ leading to stiffness, pain, and even cervicogenic headaches.
Small Shift:
- Schedule short breath work breaks and desk based exercises during your day to calm your nervous system and release muscle tension before it builds.
Get your free video guide on "Quick and Easy Desk Based Exercises to avoid spinal & joint pain" HERE. These are simple and easy exercises that can be done in under 2-3 minutes while sitting at your desk at work or from the comfort of your home.
By taking small, intentional steps to manage daily stress, you can break the cycle of tension and finally feel lighter, more open, and ready to take on the demands of your busy executive life
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