Does your body always ache? Whether you workout regularly or live a sedentary lifestyle, there’s no reason for your body to be sore all the time. Be it tight shoulders, a stiff neck or an annoying headache, your daily activities can be thrown out of gear due to body tension. Though a pretty common problem, it's frustrating to deal with, especially when there doesn't seem to be an obvious reason for it.
Tension in the muscles may show up when your body is under immense stress. This may result from a heavy workload, personal problems, or perhaps other pressures that could further manifest in physical effects. It may cause discomfort or even pain and probably long-term health complications if not addressed on time. Fortunately, there are efficient means of dissipating this tension to let your body relax and cope with stress better.
Signs of stress on your body
There are several ways in which stress may manifest itself through your body. There are times when the physical symptoms are a cause for concern. This becomes quite an important way to know that stress may be impacting your life—to identify the physical symptoms and take some form of corrective action. Mentioned below are some common symptoms:
- Muscle tension
This happens because when you are stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode and your muscles contract. Common areas of the body where this occurs are the neck, shoulder, and back areas. If the tension within a muscle is extended over a long period of time, it will lead to discomfort, pain, and often long-term issues such as tension headaches and chronic back problems.
- Headaches
Stress is a major trigger of headache, especially tension headache and migraine. Headaches come because of tight muscles in the shoulders, neck and jaw which are characterised by band-like squeezing around the head. Migraine might be triggered by stress, which can cause sharp, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, often with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Digestive problems
The state of your body during stress may slow down your digestion process. You may experience a loss of appetite or overeat either way, both of which will interfere with your digestive health. Changes in digestion as a result of stress can cause bloating and gas buildup, which also aggravates IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms like cramping, bloating, or unusual motions.
- Sleep problems
One of the more common reactions to stress is insomnia or restless sleep. Racing thoughts, anxiety, or worry can prevent falling asleep or staying asleep. The result is fatigue. Adequate sleep is vital for muscle recovery. When you are having a deep sleep, the body takes time to repair and regenerate the muscle tissues. Therefore, one major reason that results in muscle tightness and pain could be the chronic lack of sleep.
- Weakened immune system
When stress hormones such as cortisol remain too high for a very long period, it can suppress the immune system. Stress also causes chronic inflammation, an assailant of different diseases, from autoimmune to other health disorders. Stress can hinder the healing processes of the body from illness and other injuries, making recovery periods longer.
How to relieve physical tension from stress with RightLife
Relieving physical tension from stress is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical well-being. RightLife offers a comprehensive approach to relieving physical tension caused by stress through its programs such as MoveRight and ThinkRight. Here are five effective tips to help you ease the strain on your body and feel more relaxed.
- Stay hydrated
Dehydration increases tension in the muscles as well as fatigue. Keeping yourself well hydrated will help to keep your muscles flexible and reduce the risk of cramping or tightness. Consuming around 3.5L of water daily can prevent frequent muscle tightness.
- Take warm baths or use heat therapy
Applying heat to tense muscles, such as with a warm bath, heating pad, or warm compress, can soothe tightness and promote relaxation. Heat increases blood flow to the affected areas, easing muscle stiffness and reducing stress-related discomfort.
- Staying fit with MoveRight
Did you know that only 30 minutes of exercise several days a week can do wonders to keep your muscles relaxed while also bringing down your stress levels? RightLife encourages regular physical activity as a powerful way to relieve tension through the MoveRight program. The program provides customised workout plans that include yoga, stretching, and even low-impact exercises designed to loosen tight muscles and improve blood circulation. These activities help release endorphins, the body’s natural stress relievers, and promote relaxation. Even a short daily routine can significantly reduce your tense body and boost your mood!
- Practising meditation through ThinkRight
Meditation is another useful way to combat the physical effects of stress. Through the RightLife app, you can access meditation sessions under the guidance of fitness experts. These sessions on the ThinkRight program help calm the nervous system and release the physical symptoms of stress. Deep breathing, for instance, increases oxygen flow to your muscles, helping them relax, while progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and then slowly releasing each muscle group, reducing overall tension.
By combining the methods, RightLife would arm you with tools for managing and relieving physical stress tension to help live a healthier, more relaxed life. Be it through mindful movement, relaxation techniques, or proper hydration and nutrition, RightLife supports your journey to a stress-free, balanced life.
