How to stop clenching the stomach?

Author: Brant Wilkinson I  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

To begin retraining your muscles, experts recommend consciously trying to relax and let your stomach out. For people who are having a hard time relaxing in a seated or standing position, getting on all fours and “letting your belly relax down to the floor” may help, Hwang said.

Why am I unconsciously clenching my stomach?

Stomach gripping can happen for a few different reasons. When you're in pain, for example, from an injury or after a surgery, you may breathe shallowly to try to protect your core muscles from hurting even more. Most often, though, stomach gripping is something people do for aesthetic reasons.

Why am I always tensing my stomach?

A feeling of tightness in a person's abdomen is usually the result of digestive or hormonal issues. Although an individual may feel like their stomach is tight or in knots, this sensation typically resolves on its own.

How do you fix stomach gripping?

Possible treatment options for stomach gripping include:
  1. medications to treat underlying conditions that may be causing abdominal pain and associated HS.
  2. muscle relaxation to address overtightening of the muscles due to stress.
  3. exercises to treat imbalances in abdominal muscle strength.

Why does my stomach feel clenched?

Abdominal cramps produce a tightening or squeezing sensation in the belly. Cramps are usually related to gas, indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, menstruation, or possible miscarriage. Cramps tend to come and go, and may disappear entirely on their own.

How to Stop an Anxious Stomach

How do I stop clenching my stomach?

Heat: Applying a heat pack or hot water bottle to the abdomen can relax the muscles and ease spasms. Massage: Gently massaging the abdomen muscles can improve blood flow and ease cramps and spasms. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water can help avoid dehydration, which may cause abdominal spasms or make them worse.

How do I stop my stomach from clenching anxiety?

There are both emotional and physical ways to reduce your stress and anxiety, including:
  1. Be active and avoid sitting for long periods of time.
  2. Take a few deep breaths.
  3. When doing a stressful activity, take short breaks.
  4. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
  5. Eat healthy foods and avoid junk food.
  6. Limit alcohol intake.

How do you settle a gripping stomach?

Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse. When you are allowed to eat again, start with clear liquids, then progress to bland foods such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods.

Why does my stomach keep constricting?

In most cases, a tight stomach is caused by physical factors, such as digestive issues or hormonal changes. The feeling can also be caused by chronic stress. Stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, may be helpful in such cases.

How to relax tight stomach muscles?

Pelvic tilt
  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Tighten your belly muscles by pulling your belly button in toward your spine. Press your lower back to the floor. ...
  3. Hold for about 6 seconds while breathing smoothly, and then relax.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

How can I stop tensing my body?

Having too much physical tension can increase our stress. In extreme cases it can lead to pain and stress related illness. There are a number of ways to reduce physical tension. These include meditation, exercise, tai chi, massage, visualisation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and slow breathing techniques.

How to get rid of apron belly?

Through surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the most effective solution for an apron belly. During a tummy tuck, your Karidis Clinic surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat hanging from the abdomen.

How do I stop clenching unconsciously?

Management and Treatment
  1. Mouth guards. A dentist can make a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth. ...
  2. Stress reduction techniques. Finding ways to manage stress may reduce bruxism symptoms. ...
  3. Lifestyle changes. ...
  4. Medications. ...
  5. Botulinum toxin injections.

What happens if you keep tensing your stomach?

Habitually contracting your oblique abdominal muscles can exert force down on the pelvic floor muscles and potentially cause the pelvic floor to become overwhelmed, which could have consequences such as incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, said Jeffcoat, president-elect of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical ...

How do I stop stomach gripping?

try to actively think about letting go of tension in your abdomen. The first step is being aware of the habit. Next, allow your belly to be as soft as possible – and then maintain this softness for 5 deep breaths. As you inhale, your belly should naturally expand, without any additional effort.

Why do I keep clenching my stomach?

Hourglass syndrome, also known as stomach gripping, is a condition where the individual has habitually overused the upper and internal core muscles to pull in the stomach and consequently the diaphragm to the point where they have created a muscular imbalance within the core.

What causes stomach squeezing?

Abdominal discomfort from gas and gas pains is caused by swallowing air while eating or drinking quickly, chewing gum, or smoking, which causes accumulated gas in the upper digestive tract as well as accumulated gas in the large intestine, which is caused by bacterial digestion of carbohydrates such as starch, short- ...

What is stomach gripping unconsciously?

"Stomach gripping can be a tension-holding pattern that develops in response to pain, trauma, stress, or anxiety," says Rawlins. "This tension can show up anywhere in the body, including the abdominals — it's like we're subconsciously flexing our muscles in an effort to protect ourselves."

What is the best position to relax your stomach?

Knees to Chest Pose

The knees-to-chest pose, also known as the wind-relieving pose, puts gentle pressure on the abdomen and helps get trapped gas moving. Start by laying on your back with the legs extended out in front of you and the arms alongside the body.

How do you release tension in your stomach?

To do this, lie on your back, with your knees up and feet flat on the floor, about hip distance apart. Keep your hands on your belly, as if you were holding something very precious. With your mouth and your eyes closed, begin very slowly and gently inhaling, and thoughtfully send the breath down into your belly.

What to drink to settle the stomach?

If these are well tolerated, try other fluids:
  • Sports drinks.
  • Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as 7-Up, Sprite or ginger ale.
  • Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry or cranberry (avoid citrus juices)
  • Clear soup broth or bouillon.
  • Popsicles.
  • Decaffeinated tea.

How do I stop clenching anxiety?

Stress is a common catalyst for jaw clenching. Identify stress triggers in your life and employ stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Counselling or therapy can also help manage stress and anxiety that may contribute to clenching.

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