When most people think about stress, they think about feeling overwhelmed or anxious. But stress isn’t just something that happens in your head...it happens in your muscles & body too...& it creeps up slowly!
Whether you sit at a desk all day or work in a physically demanding job, stress plays a huge role in how your body feels...from headaches to tight shoulders, exhaustion & limited movement.
Let’s break down why...
What Happens in the Body During Stress?
When you’re stressed, your body activates the fight-or-flight response. Stress hormones like cortisol & adrenaline increase, your heart rate rises & your muscles automatically tense up. This is helpful in short bursts as it’s designed to protect you, but it's not good for us in the long term.
The problem?
Modern stress isn’t short bursts. It’s emails. Deadlines. Long shifts. Family pressures. Financial worries. Poor sleep. Your muscles don’t know the difference between a real threat & an overflowing inbox. They stay switched on.
So over time, that tension becomes your “normal.”
Sedentary Jobs: The Hidden Muscle Tension
If you work at a desk:
- Shoulders creep up toward your ears
- Neck tightens
- Jaw clenches
- Lower back stiffens
- Hips shorten
Add stress to that static posture, muscles become even more guarded & restricted.
This often shows up as:
- Headaches
- Neck & shoulder pain
- Lower back ache
- Reduced mobility
- Fatigue despite “not doing much” physically
- Mind racing causing disrupted sleep
Active Jobs: When Stress Meets Physical Demand
If your job is physically demanding, stress doesn’t disappear, it layers on top of existing muscle use.
You may notice:
- Muscles feeling 'tight' & restricted even after rest
- Slower recovery
- More frequent aches & pains that take longer to go away
- Increased injury risk
- Deep fatigue & exhaustion
When stress hormones remain elevated, the body struggles to repair & recover properly & sleep is affected.
Why Stress Makes You Feel Tired All the Time
Constant muscle tension requires energy...even if you’re not moving much, your body is working hard behind the scenes. Over time, this drains your nervous system.
You might feel:
- Heavy & sluggish
- Mentally foggy
- Restless but exhausted
- Like you can’t fully switch off
This isn’t laziness. It’s a nervous system that hasn’t had a chance to reset!
How Massage Helps Break the Cycle
Massage isn’t about “working knots.”
It helps by:
- Reducing nervous system overload
- Lowering stress hormone levels
- Improving circulation
- Encouraging muscles to release held tension
- Restoring movement
When the body feels safe, it lets go. That’s often why clients say they didn’t realise how 'tight' they felt until after the massage, I hear this often...'I feel like I can move & breathe again'!
Why Massage Alone Isn’t the Whole Answer
Massage is powerful....but long-term change happens when we combine it with:
1. Movement
Gentle mobility work combined with strength training helps muscles function properly rather than just tighten, hold & compensate. Movement teaches the body it doesn’t need to brace constantly.
2. Nutrition
Chronic stress depletes nutrients & affects blood sugar levels, which impacts energy & recovery. Balanced meals with protein, healthy fats & whole foods support muscle repair & nervous system health.
3. Rest & Regulation
Breathing work, stretching, walking outdoors & quality sleep all tell your nervous system it’s safe to relax. A good wind down routine before bed helps towards a more restful night.
The Physical & Mental Shift
When stress is reduced & muscles can function properly, clients often notice:
- Fewer headaches
- Less daily pain
- Better posture
- Improved energy
- Deeper sleep
- Clearer thinking
- Improved mood
Your body & mind are not separate systems. When one relaxes, the other follows...
Final Thoughts...
If you’re constantly feeling 'tight,' tired or aching...it might not just be your job, your posture or your workouts. It might be stress. The good news? You don’t have to live in that constant state of tension.
With the right combination of massage, movement & supportive nutrition, your body can reset, recover & feel strong again....physically & mentally 💙
