Before we explore smooth, gentle ways to move to help relieve the general tension and stress in ourselves and our bodies, we need to understand how vital our connective tissue is in supporting us.
Our Connective Tissue (CT) is the very make up of all our tissues in our body. It’s within our muscles, bones, ligaments, organs and yes our heart, vascular system, nervous system and gland (endocrine) system. It supports all these structures and systems including our immune system.
Connective Tissue researchers have been proposing for the last 15 years that CT is the key tissue for our natural vitality and for pain free movements.
On top of all that – we hold our tension/stress that we can’t seem to get to – within the CT as it thickens, gets less flexible when we strain ourselves physically or keep stressing over things.
So the way to restore our Connective Tissue back to its fluid flexible way, is to move in a gentle smooth way that allows it to soften and loosen, which then allows less compression and stiffness/pain in the area it’s compressing.
Moments for moving gently in our daily activities:
Driving the car:
As you drive check your lower tummy is relaxed, this will allow your breathing to be relaxed and take the tension out of the CT in your upper body, shoulders, arms and neck
Regularly check your chin is sitting comfortably under your nose , so you can look straight ahead, gently push your head back into the head rest- as long as this doesn’t cause pain. I do this often as it keeps me focussed with my driving and stimulates the deep stabilising muscles of my neck to work and support my neck more. It also feels great! And...
Check you are open in your chest and long in your spine. Every so often shift your posture by subtly lifting from the inside of your chest bone – forward and up – this will allow you to be open in your chest and taller in your seat. So there will be less compression – stiffness in your neck and spine.
Chopping vegetables / preparing for dinner
When you stand at the kitchen bench – again check your lower tummy is relaxed and your breathing is more gentle- rather than slightly tense with the doing of getting dinner ready for the family.
Have your knees slightly soft as this will decompress your lower back and be less tiring for you as you stand there – try this for whenever you are standing for a long time
Gently shift your weight from leg to leg as a sideways gliding of your hips, this feels very soothing when you move smoothly and it takes the pressure of your low back. And...
When you are chopping up food, see if you can feel the texture of the food you are holding and the fingers holding the knife- see how smoothly you can chop – that will soften all the CT and muscles through out your arms and even can relax your neck.
Sitting watching TV
Instead of lying back in a soft arm chair with your legs up (unless you have to for your swollen legs)
Try sitting in a firm couch with a cushion behind your back at your waist level- this lifts your spine up from your pelvis
Check your lower tummy and breathing are relaxed and your not breathing the adventures/ drama of the show And...
Every so often shift your posture as in the car so you are open in your chest and long in your spine.
All these small adjustments and moments of connection with your body all add up to a more relaxed nervous system, CT and general less body tension. This may help you enjoy your body more and increase your overall energy levels throughout your day.
For more tips see True self-care moments – easy, natural and a way back to more vitality.