Why Your Shoulders Should Move Away from Your Ears

 Victoria Han DACM, LAc. 

When we feel stressed, the first part of the body that reacts is often our shoulders- especially the trapezius muscles (the large muscles that run from your neck to your shoulders and upper back).
Whether in a meeting, driving, or facing sudden pressure, our shoulders unconsciously creep up toward our ears.

Consciously Drop Your Shoulders

The next time you notice tension, start with your shoulders.
Gently and intentionally move them away from your ears and let them drop.
Open your chest and take a slow, deep breath — you’ll feel instant relief.

Relax Your Face – Make a “Goofy Face”

Once your shoulders are relaxed, release the tension in your face.
Stretch your lips into a goofy smile.
Your brain interprets this as “I’m smiling,” and triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you shift out of fight-or-flight mode.

Taking a Slow, Mindful, Deep Breath

Breath is one of the fastest ways to calm the nervous system.
When stress rises, our breath becomes shallow and quick — keeping the body in alert mode.
By slowing down and breathing deeply, you send a direct signal to your brain: “It’s okay, you’re safe.”

Consciously inhale through your nose, feeling your belly expand, and then exhale longer than you inhaled. Even just 2–3 rounds can reset your state of mind.

A Small Habit to Reset Your Nervous System

By simply

1.   Dropping your shoulders

2.   Smiling with your face

3.   Taking a slow, mindful, deep exhale

you can send your body the message that it’s safe to relax — switching from stress mode into rest-and-digest mode.

Try this: place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
Breathe slowly into your belly, then release the breath gently.
As you exhale, let your shoulders drop and soften the muscles in your face.
Notice how your shoulders relax, your chest opens, your face eases, and your whole system feels lighter.