Find a TherapistReady to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?Ready toget started?Add your email to continueEmailGet startedBy submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Ready to get started?
Ready toget started?
Add your email to continue
Get started
By submitting your email, you agree to receive reminders and marketing communications.
Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions Category7 Self-Care Tips for When Stress Affects Your Body
Table of Contents:Overview1. Make Time to Cry2. Aerobic Exercise3. Take a Hot Epsom Salt Bath4. Get a Massage or Try Rolfing5. Try Acupuncture6. Combine Self-Care with Psychotherapy7. Think About What Is Causing Stress in Your Life
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: November 3, 2017
Reviewed On: November 3, 2017
Updated On: November 1, 2023
OverviewSince I was a boy, my body has been extremely sensitive and reactive to both physical and emotional stress. When my parents announced we were moving away from my hometown, my muscles tensed up so much I could barely use the bathroom for many days. Eventually I leartherapyned these health issues were a combination of a rare muscle tension condition and psychosomatic symptoms from my depressive-anxiety disorder.Because my body usually felt like a car that had driven hundreds of thousands of miles — parts constantly requiring maintenance, always creaking, sputtering, or breaking down — I became a master of self-care. I spent hours every week making a conscious effort to heal and recuperate. This lifestyle was the only way for me to survive and function well enough to graduate from college and find employment. Whenever I neglected proper rest or pushed myself too far, new symptoms arose.Self-care, however, is important for everyone. Your mind and body are connected in ways you might not be aware of. Stress is the signal that it is time to physically and emotionally tend to yourself. By heeding the call, you can live a happier life and lower your risk of developing health issues.From someone who was forced to become an expert on self-care, here are some tips for nurturing your physical and mental health before stress takes its toll:
Overview
Since I was a boy, my body has been extremely sensitive and reactive to both physical and emotional stress. When my parents announced we were moving away from my hometown, my muscles tensed up so much I could barely use the bathroom for many days. Eventually I leartherapyned these health issues were a combination of a rare muscle tension condition and psychosomatic symptoms from my depressive-anxiety disorder.
Because my body usually felt like a car that had driven hundreds of thousands of miles — parts constantly requiring maintenance, always creaking, sputtering, or breaking down — I became a master of self-care. I spent hours every week making a conscious effort to heal and recuperate. This lifestyle was the only way for me to survive and function well enough to graduate from college and find employment. Whenever I neglected proper rest or pushed myself too far, new symptoms arose.
Self-care, however, is important for everyone. Your mind and body are connected in ways you might not be aware of. Stress is the signal that it is time to physically and emotionally tend to yourself. By heeding the call, you can live a happier life and lower your risk of developing health issues.
From someone who was forced to become an expert on self-care, here are some tips for nurturing your physical and mental health before stress takes its toll:
1. Make Time to Cry
After I started working with atherapistand finally treatingmy depression, I cried almost every night for about a year. Each time my body thanked me. My muscles relaxed and I was able to sleep a little better. The stress I had held in for so long dissipated with each tear. My mind felt increasingly clear.
Try to look past the stigma around tearing up, especially if you are a man. There is already enough pressure for us to hold in emotions.
“Crying is normal and nothing to be ashamed of,” therapist Sharon Martin told Medical Daily during an interview on the stigma surrounding shedding tears.
- Aerobic ExerciseMuch like tears, sweat removes toxins from our bodies and reduces both the mental and physical impact of stress. Next time you feel a mass of pent up frustration beginning to negatively affect your body, go for a run. Each step and bead of sweat will bring you closer to a state of calm. Yoga is also a popular way to cope with stress.Note: Read up on one ofour therapist’s thoughts on dieting and weight loss.
2. Aerobic Exercise
Much like tears, sweat removes toxins from our bodies and reduces both the mental and physical impact of stress. Next time you feel a mass of pent up frustration beginning to negatively affect your body, go for a run. Each step and bead of sweat will bring you closer to a state of calm. Yoga is also a popular way to cope with stress.
Note: Read up on one ofour therapist’s thoughts on dieting and weight loss.
- Take a Hot Epsom Salt BathEpsom salt is one of those miracle substances I learned of while looking for methods to soothe my muscles. To treat aches and sores — related to stress or not — try heating up a bath and adding a little Epsom salt. Then take deep breaths, meditate and enjoy the relaxing sensations.
3. Take a Hot Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt is one of those miracle substances I learned of while looking for methods to soothe my muscles. To treat aches and sores — related to stress or not — try heating up a bath and adding a little Epsom salt. Then take deep breaths, meditate and enjoy the relaxing sensations.
- Get a Massage or Try RolfingMassages may be expensive, but it is worth occasionally paying for one. Your body might need help relaxing. Why not treat yourself at least once?If you haven’t heard ofRolfing, here is a quick definition:
4. Get a Massage or Try Rolfing
Massages may be expensive, but it is worth occasionally paying for one. Your body might need help relaxing. Why not treat yourself at least once?
If you haven’t heard ofRolfing, here is a quick definition:
Expert Insight
The practice can alleviate chronic stress, according to avolume of research.I stumbled upon Rolfing while seeking treatments to improve my muscle functioning, and it has been a lifesaver for me. The sessions are similar to massages, although the work is more intense and can be a little painful. I recommend Rolfing for people who want dramatic results and don’t mind spending more than they would on a massage.
The practice can alleviate chronic stress, according to avolume of research.
I stumbled upon Rolfing while seeking treatments to improve my muscle functioning, and it has been a lifesaver for me. The sessions are similar to massages, although the work is more intense and can be a little painful. I recommend Rolfing for people who want dramatic results and don’t mind spending more than they would on a massage.
5. Try Acupuncture
- Combine Self-Care with PsychotherapyIf I hadn’t worked with a therapist to understand how mental health affected my body, I would most likely have died during the worst of my depression, a time when I was unable to sleep for roughly four days. No matter the degree, all of us carry stress in our bodies. Mental health professionals have the skills and experience to help you understand the mind/body connection and learn to manipulate both sides of that equation.
6. Combine Self-Care with Psychotherapy
If I hadn’t worked with a therapist to understand how mental health affected my body, I would most likely have died during the worst of my depression, a time when I was unable to sleep for roughly four days. No matter the degree, all of us carry stress in our bodies. Mental health professionals have the skills and experience to help you understand the mind/body connection and learn to manipulate both sides of that equation.
- Think About What Is Causing Stress in Your LifeAddressing sources of stress is as important as treating their physical effects. When your body gets tense or wound up, what are you usually thinking about? What happened before your body reacted? Is it your job, relationships, health, anxiety, maybe something else?If you have trouble answering these questions, considering connecting with a therapist. In-person oronline therapymight provide valuable insights.Remember that stress is like a crank that winds up our bodies. Tension increases until we can’t function as well as we would like. Use these tips to consciously reverse that process. Take care of both your body and mind.Note: Curious aboutTalkspace? Check outsome of our customer reviews!
7. Think About What Is Causing Stress in Your Life
Addressing sources of stress is as important as treating their physical effects. When your body gets tense or wound up, what are you usually thinking about? What happened before your body reacted? Is it your job, relationships, health, anxiety, maybe something else?
If you have trouble answering these questions, considering connecting with a therapist. In-person oronline therapymight provide valuable insights.
Remember that stress is like a crank that winds up our bodies. Tension increases until we can’t function as well as we would like. Use these tips to consciously reverse that process. Take care of both your body and mind.
Note: Curious aboutTalkspace? Check outsome of our customer reviews!
Joseph RauchStaff Writer at Talkspace
Staff Writer at Talkspace
Share
Effective and affordable mental health treatmentGet Started
Effective and affordable mental health treatment
Related Articles About Anxiety DisorderView all articlesAnxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer DiagnosisAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure ProfessionAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the MilitaryAnxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer MindAnxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the ConnectionAnxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
Related Articles About Anxiety DisorderView all articles
Related Articles About Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer DiagnosisAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure ProfessionAnxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the MilitaryAnxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer MindAnxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the ConnectionAnxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social AnxietyAnxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
Anxiety DisorderDecember 4, 2024How to Overcome Anxiety About Your Cancer Diagnosis
Anxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Nurse Anxiety: Overcoming Stress in a High-Pressure Profession
Anxiety DisorderOctober 23, 2024Overcoming Anxiety in the Military
Anxiety DisorderSeptember 18, 2024Overcoming Parental Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer Mind
Anxiety DisorderAugust 26, 202415 Effective Coping Skills for Anxiety
Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Acupuncture for Anxiety: Does it Work?
Anxiety DisorderJuly 24, 2024Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety? Exploring the Connection
Anxiety Disorder, PhobiasJune 18, 2024Agoraphobia vs Social Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?
Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 202413 Best Jobs for People with Social Anxiety
Anxiety DisorderJune 18, 2024Election Anxiety: How to Cope With Political Stress
If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Call 988 or useto get immediate help.
Therapy may be free for you
