Stress, Tension & the Nervous System: Why Your Body Might Be Holding On
- Eleri Morris
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
At the start of a new year, many people notice how tired or tense their body feels, even if nothing obvious has gone wrong.
You might feel restless but exhausted, tight without a clear reason, or as though your body just won’t fully switch off. These experiences are more common than people realise, and are often a sign that the body has been under sustained pressure and hasn’t yet had the opportunity to properly settle.
How stress shows up in the body
Stress isn’t just something we think or feel emotionally. Over time, it can influence how the body holds itself and responds to everyday demands.
This may show up as:
Persistent muscle tension
Shallow or restricted breathing
Poor sleep or waking feeling unrefreshed
Jaw, neck or shoulder tightness
A sense of being “on edge” or easily overwhelmed
For many people, these changes happen gradually until the body starts asking for attention.
Why relaxation alone isn’t always enough
Relaxation is important, and for some people it’s exactly what’s needed. But when the body has been holding tension for a long time, it may struggle to fully let go straight away.
If the system has learned to stay alert or guarded, simply telling it to relax doesn’t always work. In these cases, support that’s responsive and paced can be more effective than purely soothing techniques.
This doesn’t mean doing more, it means doing what the body can receive.
The importance of consultation and listening to the body
Before treatment begins, I take time to understand what’s been happening for you.
This includes:
How stress or tension shows up physically
Sleep patterns and energy levels
Work and lifestyle factors
Areas that feel particularly sensitive
This conversation helps guide the session and allows the treatment to be shaped around what your body is communicating, rather than following a set routine.
How touch can support settling and awareness
Massage and reflexology can both support the body when approached with awareness and responsiveness.
This may include:
Slower, attentive techniques
Adjusting pressure based on feedback
Working with areas that feel guarded or overworked
Allowing pauses and stillness where helpful
The aim isn’t to override the nervous system, but to offer conditions where the body feels able to soften and respond at its own pace.
If you feel “wired but tired” or notice stress settling in your body, a treatment guided by listening and responsiveness may be supportive.
Reflexology as a grounding support
It’s not just massage that can help with stress & tension, reflexology works through the feet to support the body as a whole.
Many people find it particularly helpful during periods of stress, fatigue or overwhelm.
Sessions often leave people feeling:
More grounded
Calmer and more settled
Better able to rest or sleep
While experiences vary, reflexology can be a gentle way of supporting balance when the body feels overloaded.
Why change often happens over time
One session can be helpful, but when stress and tension have been present for a while, the body often benefits from regular support to begin with.
This allows:
Familiar holding patterns to ease gradually
The nervous system to experience consistency
The body to build trust in the process
As things begin to settle, many people naturally move into a maintenance rhythm that supports ongoing wellbeing.
Who this approach can be helpful for
Stress-related tension or fatigue
Feeling overwhelmed or unable to switch off
Poor sleep linked to physical holding
Ongoing tightness without clear injury
People wanting gentle, thoughtful support
Book massage or reflexology in Chester
If you’re based in Chester and feel this resonates, you’re welcome to book a session or get in touch to discuss what might suit you best.
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