Pain & Stress Relief
Why Won't My Body Let Go of Stress?
Why tension settles into the body, and a gentle practice for letting it move through and out.
⌛ 5 min read | Vicki Mah, Myofascial Release and Somatic Bodywork Practitioner
Stress is not only something you feel in your mind. It settles into the body, into the shoulders, the hips, the jaw, and the belly. When it stays there long enough, the body forgets how to fully relax, and tension becomes a habit the muscles hold without you even noticing.
How Stress Settles Into the Body
When we feel pressure, the body braces. The shoulders rise, the breath shortens, and the fascia and muscles tighten to protect us. This is natural and helpful in a true emergency. The trouble comes when the bracing never lets go. Over time the body stays locked in a low hum of holding, and that constant tension shows up as stiffness, pain, fatigue, and a nervous system that struggles to settle. Myofascial release and somatic work help by gently inviting the tissue to soften and the body to come out of its guard.
The research of Dr. Gabor Mate on the mind body connection shows that chronically suppressed stress and emotion is one of the most consistent contributors to physical illness. When the body is never allowed to discharge stress, it carries the load in the tissue.
A Gentle Practice for Letting Stress Move Through
Acknowledge the stress, feel the tightness coming up, but realize it's there and then let it go. Let the body go into 'relax' mode. Shoulders, hips, face, torso, everyone, time to relax, lol. Allow the stress to come and leave. Your imagination is important and the key, the ticket, to having better outcomes than the present. Know that what seems like a troubled situation will pass. It always does. Things always get better. See the hard times as a test for you to overcome and master. That's all it is. A test. Accepting and going in this direction always results in a better outcome than you could ever have imagined.
The polyvagal work of Dr. Stephen Porges shows that the nervous system moves between states of alertness and states of safety. When the body receives cues of safety, it can come out of constant guarding and settle into rest, which is where true relaxation begins.
🎧 A free gift for you. When the body learns to drop its guard, stress moves through instead of staying stuck. Listen to this free relaxation transmission here: Be Relaxed and Calm.
Ready to help your body truly relax?
If stress has settled into your body and will not let go, gentle bodywork may be part of your answer. To explore a complementary session in the Sacramento area, call or text me here and leave a message if I am with a client.
About the author: Vicki Mah brings 48 years of sequential healthcare experience to her work, including 34 years in dental hygiene and 14 years in intuitive healing and bodywork. Her practice centers on myofascial release, somatic trauma release, craniosacral therapy, Kundalini-Reiki, Transformative NLP (Marin method), MAP coaching, Diamond Earth Lightkeeper Mastery, Crystal Chamber Healing Academy, and Quantum Living. She works with clients in Sacramento and worldwide, and is the founder of Release-the-Pain.com and InnerGrowth.love.
Further Reading
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. If stress is affecting your life, please consult a qualified mental health or medical professional. Bodywork complements but does not replace clinical care.