My problem is the reverse. When my brain is working, my jaw tenses up, and my breathing becomes shallow. I tried everything, but it seems impossible to decouple mental performance from these physical issues. I wish that there was some kind of bio-feedback device that could warn me when I push myself too far.
There are some biofeedback devices re: jaw clenching/teeth grinding in particular. Both muscle innervation sensors (applied to the skin) and pressure sensors (held between the teeth) out there. Not sure if they're actually effective but one small study with people who grind their teeth while asleep found significant reductions from a mouthguard that vibrated when a pressure threshold was exceeded: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4389117/
I used a biofeedback device for measuring jaw tension among other things a long time ago...it was really helpful for training the body in how to naturally relax. Not sure it would solve the problem for someone entirely but it's worth a try.
For pushing too far I use a timer system based around supporting the work characteristics, and it's been really helpful too. Hopefully you find something that helps.
I wish I did, it was at a university biofeedback lab in about 2000. I'd guess anybody who works with biofeedback devices could recommend something better by now anyway.
Heh, ok, yes I expected you to say something like this. I had biofeedback therapy as a child (also jaw/bruxism related), and those devices looked archaic, even for that time :)
