You know how stress feels. It’s different for everybody, but you have felt it and maybe you’ve noticed how your body reacts to it. But is it always the same?
The next time you feel stressed about something, try taking a moment to see where in your body it it most noticeable. Is it in your shoulders or neck? Your arms or lower back? Is it always in the same place? Is it different for different types or causes of stress? Does it lead to tension in the neck which leads to headaches? These are some important questions to start asking and can be the first step in helping to de-stress your life. Listening to your body and how it reacts is a valuable skill that anyone can develop with a little patience and practice.
When stress builds in the body there’s a tendency to hold onto it, especially if we are not listening to how the stress is affecting us. For example, when I get stressed my shoulders tighten and move in toward my center. This affects various muscles in my back, chest, and neck.
We can not always stop or avoid the causes of stress in our lives but there are things we can do to help neutralize any negative effects and bring the body back into balance. Naturally massage is a great way of helping, but there are a variety of other approaches that also work. Yoga, meditation, exercise, or any other activity that feels good on a physical and mental level will allow held stress to release.
And as always, remember to breathe.
