Whenever I am concentrating hard e.g. playing chess or solving problems I rub my temples repetitatively. Its gets up my wife’s nose, but I am often unaware that I am doing it. I have seen many other people doing similar actions - but why? The best answer I can come up with is that I am trying to drown out distractions but is there a better answer?
I’m no expert on this, but I know that blood flow to different regions of the brain varies with use and these changes could cause sensations that would make you want to rub your temples.
i’ve noticed when i stub my toe, walk into something in the dark, or just generally do something stupid, i -at least- say something like d’oh or for f^%*s sake!.. .etc. Why? Its the middle of the night, no-one willl hear me ( if they do it means i woke them, which i dont wanna do) does it make me feel better, no. Does everyone on TV do it, yes.
I think i’m just conditioned to react to those situations by making a given noise. Could be the same with stressfull/ high pressure/ mentally demanding tasks and rubbing temples. Rubbing temples being an easy way to emphasise thinking on tv/ in comics.
completely a stab in the dark mind.
p.s i have a sore head just now, and rubbing my temples just accentuates it.
So rubbing my temples seems to have some effect on my head.
- gives up *
Qis
Well I can answer the stressed part. During my Psychology course we learned that rubbing our heads, etc was a way of comforting ourselves, it’s soothing and helps us relax to a better state. It is sometimes said that we rub our heads, etc to simulate the way our mothers did when we were infants. Just a theory so don’t kill me if u dont agree!