tension

tension is a state in which significant energy is required to keep a quality in balance.

tension is the spectrum opposite of relaxation in relation to the energy expenditure of a system.

tension can be manifested in the mind-body system in three different ways:

• muscular-tension. E: Holding a posture.
• emotional-tension. E: anger and fear,
• mental-tension. E: Any active thinking process or worry.

tension in human-likes serves as an alert and protection mechanism to enhance reactivity against threats and elements that require attention to cover basic need.

tension prevents full awareness to the mind-body system as it sucks all the attention, that’s why relaxation is critical for experiencing deep states of meditation and traumatic healing.

tension acts like a spring, when the threat is detected, the spring is loaded (in tension) ready to be released when the thread is too dangerous. While something is perceived as a threat, it is not possible to fully relax.

Many coping mechanisms for traumatic experiences end up in a chronic state of tension where the mind-body system is in constant look for sensory patterns that may indicate a threat.

When there is non-acceptance, emotional and mental tension is required to protect the object of attachment.