Facial Tension Release
Materials Needed
Feeling
Irritated
How to Do It
Sit comfortably and place the pads of your fingers along your jawline. Apply gentle pressure and begin to massage the jaw in small, circular motions, moving from the chin toward the ears. As you massage, pay attention to any tender spots or areas of tightness, and spend extra time there, imagining the irritation dissolving under your touch.
Why It Works
This exercise directly addresses the tension in the jaw, a common physical manifestation of irritation. The act of massaging these areas promotes relaxation and can help to dissipate the emotion stored in the muscles.
Guided Practice
Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, noticing any sensations in your face—perhaps a tightness around your eyes or mouth. Allow yourself to be with these feelings, without needing to release any tension just yet.
Continue sitting comfortably, as you now deepen your focus with a few more breaths. Gently noticing any areas of tension or tightness. Perhaps you sense a furrow in your brow, a tightness around your eyes, or a clenching in your jaw. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, allow your facial muscles to soften and release. Feel the muscles around your eyes and forehead begin to relax, or maybe a slight easing in your cheeks and jaw.
Continue to breathe deeply, with each exhale focusing on releasing tension from a different area of your face. You might notice a gentle softening around your temples, or perhaps a release in the small muscles around your mouth. Allow any sensations to arise, whether it's a feeling of relaxation or just a greater awareness of the tension that remains. If thoughts or images come up, acknowledge them and gently return your focus to the sensations in your face.
As you continue this practice, consider how the act of releasing physical tension might relate to emotional or mental release. Perhaps there is a sense of letting go of stress, or maybe a realization about where tension tends to accumulate. Allow yourself to explore these connections, staying present with whatever arises. You might visualize tension melting away like wax, or perhaps imagine it dissolving into light.
When you feel ready, take a few more deep breaths, noticing how your face feels now—whether there is a sense of lightness, softness, or maybe just a heightened awareness. Allow yourself to rest in this state for a few more moments. When you are ready, gently open your eyes, carrying any newfound relaxation or awareness with you into your day.