We have become beasts of our own burdens. Sometimes it feels as if we are carrying everything we own all at once. This sounds like an exaggeration, but this is exactly what we are doing. Postural issues, stress, worry, cyclical thoughts, and never-ending mental checklists are heavy weights. When we are anxious, depressed, fatigued or dissatisfied with our lives this weight can feel even heavier.
With regard to our physical patterns the demands of our everyday lives are greatly affecting how we carry ourselves and our posture is rapidly on the decline. We sit at a desk all day hunched over a computer, a steering wheel, scanning our smartphones (just watch people on the metro one weekday morning). The constant head down, shoulders hiked, back hunched posture is causing us to feel a lot of discomfort. Combine this with all our daily stress and this weight can feel almost unbearable.
Bearing the Weight
Our bodies have weight-bearing bones designed specifically to carry us. When we are burdened with upper body tension, structural dysfunction, and mental stress our weight-bearing structures are not fully able to do their jobs.
Our weight-bearing bones are located in the lower parts of the body. The tibia (or shin bone) is the strongest weight-bearing bone in the entire body. Other important weight-bearing bones are the calcaneus (heel), tarsals (small bones in the mid-foot), and the lumbar spine. If these structures are the actual bearers of our weight, why do we feel so heavy elsewhere?
Mind What Matters
Being mindful of how the physical and mental stressors affect us can make a big difference. With regard to our physical patterns we can change how we move through life. We tend to sit hunched, shoulders hiked with the head and neck forward. This creates a lot stress on the spine and shoulder girdle. The posterior muscles attached to the bony structures of the neck, upper spine and scapulae are overstretched, and the anterior muscles attached to the structures of the neck, clavicular bones, sternum, rib cage and humerus are shortened. In addition, the tiny bones of the vertebrae and the large glenohumeral joints (arm and shoulder joints) become compressed. When joints are compressed fluids can not flow freely. All of the above-mentioned issues debilitate our stucture and we end up with chronic neck, shoulder and back pain.
Focus on opening the shoulders, elongating the neck and lifting the head. These actions can help release tension over time. We have to undo the patterns, and this takes conscious efforts all day, every day. We may need help from healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, osteopaths or orthopedics. Regular exercise, proper stretching and massage can loosen those tight muscles and help the bones realign.
Stress, worry, anxiety, and depression can have a huge impact on our bodies and how we feel, physically, mentally and energetically. It is important to be aware of the affects of our thoughts. During most of our waking life our minds are full of mental checklists, plans for later, tomorrow, next week, etc., along with endless memories. All this constant activity incites energy to move from the lower parts of the body to the upper areas. As our emotions consume our thoughts the heaviness grows and grows.
Be aware of how you feel when you are consumed with tremendous responsibilities and obligations. This is when you get that heavy-head feeling, which causes the superior aspects of our bodies to take on a lot more than they should. Our necks have to hold up our full heads and our shoulders feel overburdened. As a result, we lean more forward, shoulders become rounded, organs become compressed, and circulation is weakened.
Flow of Energy
Where our intention goes, energy flows. When our minds are so full of thought and worry our energy hovers there. But if we intentionally allow the energy to move we can release a lot of tension.
Our root chakra, which encompasses the lower part of our body from the sits bones to the feet, is our grounding mechanism. It allows us to feel strong, stable and helps those weight-bearing bones carry us. In comparison, our crown chakra (top of the head) is our connection to divine light. Our root chakra should be strong and stable, while our crown is meant to be light and free. Take a moment to observe yourself. Do you feel strong at your feet and light at your head? More than likely your legs are very still or else passively following your determined cranium.
In Taoism, the lower dantian is the energy center of the body. This is where we store our life force, or Qi (chi). When we are consumed by thoughts, our lower dantian becomes depleted and the energy in the body cannot flow. As a result we tend to feel tired and heavy all over.
Admire a Tree
Let's take a moment to admire a tree. It has strong roots connected to the earth with a sturdy trunk, and branches with leaves that freely move with the wind. Roots and branches soak up rain water and sun, and transfers nutrients throughout the body. A tree stands strong in the face of storms, protects itself from cold, sheds its leaves and has new growth.
We are no different from a tree. This heaviness is nothing more than energy. Using our intention, we can transfer the energy to our root, our weight-bearing bones, where it is needed. Drawing up energy from the earth will replenish our power center. We can also draw energy from above, like a tree being nourished. Our roots become strong and our branches become light. This cycle of energy with replenish our bodies and clear our minds.
So the next time you feel that heaviness lift you head and smile. Let all that worry roll off your shoulders and feel the strength at your root. Take a deep breath and let that heart of yours open wide.
Health and wellness to you.
Tara
-Tara Bauman, LMT
Elements of Wellness, LLC
www.fallschurchmassagetherapy.com
contact@fallschurchmassagetherapy.com
