How to ACTUALLY Unclench Your Jaw Throughout the Day
If your FYP has ever shown you a post like the ones below and you felt your jaw subsequently relax, this post is for you.
I love these posts because I actually do end up relaxing my shoulders, unclenching my jaw, softening…well, you get it. The problem is, how do we maintain this throughout the day without the Instagram post prompting?
There are a few techniques I recommend to my patients for monitoring and adjusting the level of tension in their bodies throughout the day. Most of them end up noting less long-term jaw pain, headaches, and even stress. Stress can lead to tension, but tension can also lead to stress, putting people in a vicious cycle of discomfort.
Here are 3 practical ways to keep your jaw loose during the day:
Set alerts on your phone
If you use an iPhone, you have lots of options (I’m sure Android users do too, I’m just not as familiar with that life) to set alerts that aren’t the same as your morning alarm. No need to traumatize yourself while trying to fix your tense jaw.
Use the Reminders or Calendar app to set alerts that repeat every hour to say, “Unclench your jaw” or another trigger that will remind you to check in with yourself.
Stack your habits
Pair the act of relaxing your jaw and shoulders with an activity that does occur throughout the day. You could pair unclenching your jaw with every time you sit at a red light, while you make your morning coffee, every time you answer an email — the possibilities are endless! Pick what is sustainable and what works for you.
Address the root cause
Stressed out? It might be time for a mental health counselor and/or psychiatrist if you’re not already seeing one. Or a check-in with them if you are.
In one posture too long (i.e. >30 minutes)? Switch it up and sit up straighter, do some twists, get up and walk around!
Have jaw pain? See a specialist! It’s important not to rely on only your dentist — dentistry is only one piece of the jaw pain puzzle, and if you don’t have a dental issue, physical therapy might be the next best step.
Lucky for you, I’m a physical therapist who specializes in jaw pain and headaches!
Let me know below — did any of these techniques work for you? Which one’s the easiest to stick to?
Oh and real quick…unclench your jaw. 😄
