Question:
They say intense exercise reduces stress. You would need feedback from your sleeping partner I
guess to know if it works. Wouldn't it be interesting to have noted that after a particularly
strenuous day of physical exersion (and I don't mean gardening, grandma - I mean getting the old
ticker up to 150 - 200 beats a minute for 20 minutes) teeth grinding doesn't occur or is
significantly reduced?
Also what about eating shortly before bedtime? Could the taste of the food still in the mouth (even
after brushing you can usually sense it) subconsciously encourage the jaw to chew?
Answer:
My dentist told me that the stress isn't that kind of stress. It is jaw
stress. If I open my mouth very wide, then slowly (or quickly) close it,
right as my teeth meet, I draw in my lower jaw so that my upper teeth don't
just meet my lower teeth, but slide in front. I do that all day long.
Then at night my jaw tries to adjust, and I grind my teeth. My dentist made
it very clear to me that the stress is a physical one with a physical cause,
and is not part of nervousness or anxiety.
I think he implied that once grinding the teeth became part of your
lifestyle then as a habit you would do it more frequently, and possibly at
that point stress would be a factor.
Ever since an oral surgeon messed with my daughter's jaw, and injected
something, she hasn't been able to chew, and has had daily headaches.
I know that when I was suffering from chronic migraines I could not exercise
at all pretty much. I had to get my migraines under control before I could
exercise. Now I've got them well-controlled I adore the time this gives me
to *enjoy* exercise once more. I savour each and every moment I'm out on my
bike. My enjoyment is enhanced by the understanding of how wonderful it is
to be able to get out there in the fresh-air, feel the wind on my face. It's
the little things, like today... at one point on my ride today (41-miles) I
was joined by the most fabulous deep blue damsel fly which flew alongside me
as I pedalled up a short hill. It was literally level with my handlebars the
entire time. It was *wonderful*.
So I'm guessing that a very, very small percentage of migraine sufferers have tried it.
So no more whining until that heart rate gets beyond 150 for 20 consecutive minutes!
Please only do this on an empty stomach - like no food for at least 4 hours.
Preferably first thing in the morning - without the coffee since that will dehydrate
you. And of course no food before this cardio onslaught. Stationary bike with
the seat low enough that you can pedal 120 rpm without your hips hopping on the
seat, the Stairmaster without holding on to the handrails, or the Treadmill are all
great choices. On the treadmill try walking as fast as you can after adjusting
the incline to your preference (probably between .5 and 2 for most people)
which should be around 4 mph if you're starting out and quickly escalate
to 7 - 9 mph after a few sessions. Your shins will burn a bit - just new
muscles being brought to life. After a few sessions you will notice the
ability to walk with more poise and power outside. The trick to the treadmill
is to walk as fast as you can until you are getting exhausted, then without
changing the speed - jog to rest.
It sounds illogical but it really works. Its a type of interval training. Most
fitness enthusiasts find it gets you in shape faster than any other form of
training. But the end result is to get to 150 beats per minute. And if you don't
eat salt, fried food and animal products - 180 since your arteries aren't clogged
with goo.
