Don’t Stress About Relaxing: Bodywork for Chronic Stress and Anxiety
Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to feel relaxed. Luckily, we don’t need to be worried about relaxing. Simply noticing that you have trouble unwinding or relaxing is very useful because then you can do something about it. When our nervous system is responding appropriately to the world around us, our bodies are totally capable of relaxing when the time is right. At other times, we need to be alert and engaged because that is what is called for. The distinction between times of vigilance and times of relative safety gets blurred in cases of chronic stress and anxiety. The nervous system becomes primed and ready for action in case of threat and fails to pump the brakes on that threat response once the moment of danger or frightening event has passed. Instead of turning off systems that protect and turning on systems that heal and restore, we exist in a perpetual state of threat response which is really hard on our bodies in the long run.
How can we help recalibrate a nervous system that has a tough time navigating these two states of response? Regaining that balance is a process, and there is no single thing that will get you there. There is a growing body of research that also points to the importance of body-based therapies, movement, and social connection in refining and strengthening our ability to restore calm after averting or managing a situation that activates our fight/flight/freeze systems. Yoga, Pilates, dance and other movement based classes can be incredibly beneficial because they offer both movement and social connection. But simply spending time with friends or going for a walk are also great options. Walking with friends? Even better!. Therapy can help with the mental and emotional aspects of these issues, of course. The list of options is long and it can sometimes feel overwhelming to figure out. This is another reason why massage is a great place to start.
Massage and bodywork is a great way to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress. Just as repeated and prolonged stress attunes the body toward states of vigilance and reactivity, regular bodywork can attune the body to the feeling of rest and calm. Massage and bodywork restores and fosters a somatic connection that helps us recognize what is working for us and what is not. Slowing down and shifting your awareness inward helps you gauge which practices and activities positively impact how you feel, and which have the opposite effect. It clears the cobwebs and puts you in closer touch with your body, enabling you to recognize the very palpable difference in states of vigilance and states of relaxation, and refines your nervous system’s ability to navigate between the two with ease.