How to self-massage and release tension for better ear health
What's the story
The ability to move our ear muscles is a frequently neglected aspect of auditory health, yet it's vital for keeping our ears in top shape.
By actively working these muscles through specific exercises, we can enhance our hearing, balance, and overall ear function.
In this article, we'll uncover five key exercises to boost your ear muscle mobility, offering practical tips on integrating them into your daily routine for optimal auditory health.
Wiggle
Ear wiggle exercise
The ear wiggle exercise is exactly what it sounds like: wiggling your ears back and forth without using your hands.
This exercise helps to strengthen the small muscles around the ears, and improve flexibility and control.
To do it, concentrate on tensing the muscles behind your ears to isolate their movement.
Do this for a few minutes every day to slowly build mobility and enhance ear muscle function.
Jaw move
Jaw movement exercise
Exercises that involve jaw movement are particularly helpful for improving ear muscle mobility.
This is because these exercises engage muscles that are connected to both the jaw and ears.
Open your mouth as if you are yawning, then slowly move your jaw from one side to the other.
This movement will help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the ears, improving their range of motion over time.
Head tilt
Head tilt exercise
The head tilt exercise is simple: relax your shoulders and gently tilt your head from side to side, bringing your ear closer to your shoulder.
This action stretches the neck and upper shoulder muscles, which can help improve ear muscle flexibility by reducing tension in the surrounding areas.
Remember to do this exercise slowly and gently to prevent strain.
Neck rotate
Neck rotation exercise
Neck rotation exercises entail slowly rotating your head from the left side to the right while keeping it aligned with your spine.
This movement helps alleviate stiffness in the neck region, which can indirectly impact the functioning of muscles around the ears.
Consistent practice can assist in preserving the ideal mobility of these interconnected regions.
Chew gum
Chewing gum exercise
Chewing gum is a surprisingly effective way to exercise the various muscles in your face that are connected to those around your ears.
The act of chewing gum engages these muscles through the natural motion of chewing, eliminating the need for extra equipment or effort.
This makes it an easy addition to your daily routine, whether you're walking or sitting at your desk.