{"id":63785,"date":"2026-05-29T13:24:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/?p=63785"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:29:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:29:55","slug":"stress-and-muscle-tension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/stress-and-muscle-tension\/","title":{"rendered":"why you carry stress in your body: the science behind muscle tension"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"63785\" class=\"elementor elementor-63785\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0608fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0608fb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0752956\" data-id=\"0752956\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2de5029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2de5029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Stress affects the physical and emotional wellbeing of millions of Australians and while it looks different for every one of us, more than half of us experience at least one significant personal stressor in any given year.\u00b9 It might show up as tension in your shoulders and neck, a jaw that stays clenched long after the day is done or a back that won&#8217;t quite release, no matter how much we try to relax. These are the body&#8217;s quiet signals and there is real science behind why they show up the way they do.<\/p><p>According to Dr Hayley Dickinson, Research Scientist and part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, understanding what is actually happening in the body when stress takes hold is the first step toward releasing it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e93bebd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e93bebd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e49891c\" data-id=\"e49891c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be9d526 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"be9d526\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">stress isn't just in your mind<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7e4638 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7e4638\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cWhen we experience stress, the body is preparing us for action,\u201d Dr Dickinson shares. \u201cIt has detected some kind of threat, in our environment, or in our psyche and it responds. Blood flow is redistributed around the body. It moves away from the skin, digestive system and reproductive organs and moves toward the muscles, the heart, the lungs, the brain.&#8221;\u00b2 That response, Dr Dickinson explains, is the fight-or-flight mechanism, vital in short bursts, and exactly what the stress system is built for.<\/p><p>The problem is that modern stressors like deadlines, digital overload and relational pressure don&#8217;t resolve the way a physical threat would. There is no moment where the danger passes and the body can return to rest. The stressors linger and so too does the physical response.<\/p><p>\u201cI think about my dog, Jessie. She could be fast asleep on the couch, but the moment she senses any movement, a rabbit in the garden, someone at the front door, she&#8217;s up and fully switched on. And the moment that threat passes, she&#8217;s back on the couch, completely at rest, showing no sign of stress. I don&#8217;t think that I know many humans who live that way, where we&#8217;ll have those busy, hectic, overstimulated moments and then meet them equally, or even more so with rest and recovery. We just haven&#8217;t really built our lives that way.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d5b25d9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d5b25d9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dbeee7d\" data-id=\"dbeee7d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6e5ad7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a6e5ad7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">why tension settles in the muscles<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a83e111 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a83e111\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Stress and muscle tension tend to go hand in hand, and understanding why muscles tense up when stressed can help us begin to release it. When the stress response activates, the muscles brace for action, contracting and readying the body to move. In a moment of acute stress, that resolves naturally. But when stress becomes a constant, the body can struggle to find its way back. That ready-for-action feeling can follow us through the day and often into the night.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cAlmost all of us hold tension and we don&#8217;t even know it,\u201d Dr Dickinson explains. The shoulders creep up, the jaw stays clenched, the brow stays furrowed, these patterns settle so quietly into the body&#8217;s way of being that they stop registering as tension at all. They just become the way things feel.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Over time, that holding starts to cost us. It shows up as stress, muscle pain, fatigue and headaches or as a body that feels heavier and older than it should.\u00b3<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8bcb906 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8bcb906\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65c9212\" data-id=\"65c9212\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3762b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b3762b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">the body gives us signals \u2014 are we listening?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c59bcc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c59bcc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">When the body stays in a stress state for too long, it begins to communicate with us.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhen we stay in a stress state,\u201d explains Dr Dickinson \u201csome of the things that we might experience can be the feeling of being absolutely exhausted but sleep just doesn&#8217;t come easy. We might notice disruption in our digestive system. Skin that&#8217;s just not feeling its best, a little dull, a little blemished, a little dry. These are really beautiful signs that our body is giving us that says I cannot prioritise those things right now because I only have a limited amount of resources to allocate.\u201d<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">This is where interoception becomes so important. As Dr Dickinson notes, \u201cIf we don&#8217;t take the time to come back to ourselves, to check in, see where we&#8217;re feeling \u2014 these are called interoceptive processes, the feeling of sensation within the body \u2014 we are forever going to struggle with those other biological and physiological processes in the body because they need us to be present.\u201d It is not something most of us are taught, but it is something that can be learned. And it has to come before anything else, because we cannot release what we cannot feel.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e01714f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e01714f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8770687 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"8770687\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3160f07\" data-id=\"3160f07\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19c4349 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"19c4349\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 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.elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7360f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7360f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cIf we don&#8217;t take the time to come back to ourselves&#8230;we are forever going to struggle with those other biological and physiological processes in the body because they need us to be present.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b91b21 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0b91b21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c618a3 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"2c618a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1349251 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1349251\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f5a1c48\" data-id=\"f5a1c48\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0658617 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0658617\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">where tension hides \u2014 a simple body scan<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6816b66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6816b66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">One of the most accessible ways to begin building that awareness is a body scan. It requires no equipment and no prior experience, just a few minutes in an environment that feels safe and unlikely to bring interruption, with the phone set well aside.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The practice can begin at the crown of the head or at the toes, wherever feels natural, bringing slow and deliberate attention to each small area of the body in turn. As Dr Dickinson describes it: \u201cJust bring attention to each small area of the body. Bring the attention to the brow and you might like to deliberately scrunch it, contract the muscles so that you really are bringing real attention and awareness to that area. And then with a deep sighing breath, let that tension go. Sometimes you won&#8217;t even know you were holding it until you have that let go moment.\u201d<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The practice continues through the face, around the eyes, the jaw, the neck and shoulders, moving at whatever pace feels comfortable. The goal is not to fix anything. It is simply to notice and in noticing, to communicate back to the nervous system that it is safe to rest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea83415\" data-id=\"ea83415\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4caa634 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4caa634\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/body-scan.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63786\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/body-scan.jpg 500w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/body-scan-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/body-scan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/body-scan-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6028257 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6028257\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b983e86\" data-id=\"b983e86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-848dab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"848dab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/organic-relax-massage-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63787\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/organic-relax-massage-2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/organic-relax-massage-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/organic-relax-massage-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/organic-relax-massage-2-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d024be\" data-id=\"3d024be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f672a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5f672a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">releasing what the body holds<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2968a86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2968a86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">One of the most common questions is how to release stress from the body and touch is one of the most powerful places to start. When the body receives slow, gentle, rhythmic touch, it activates specific nerve fibres in the skin called C-tactile afferents.\u2074 \u201cNurturing touch allows us to access the nervous system in ways that we perhaps otherwise can&#8217;t. When we receive slow, gentle, rhythmic touch, it accesses parts of our brain that ask us not where was I touched, but what does this touch mean for me?\u201d When that touch feels safe, the nervous system begins to shift, breathing slows, heart rate lowers and the muscles soften.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/massage\/relaxation-massage\/organic-massage\/\">Organic Relax Massage<\/a><\/span> is designed to support exactly this kind of shift, not as a way to switch off, but as genuine support for a nervous system that has been working too hard for too long. In research coordinated by Dr Dickinson, participants reported lower perceived stress and reduced muscle tension after their treatment, and heart rate decreased by an average of 10.6% during the massage.\u2075 Participants also reported feeling more balanced and connected with themselves in mind and body. And those who arrived already carrying the most stress showed the greatest shifts of all.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">And it does not always have to begin on a massage table. \u201cSometimes it&#8217;s about doing less, not more,\u201d Dr Dickinson reflects, \u201cand making those things that we do become much more intentional. How does this feel for me?\u201d Something as simple as a morning skincare routine applied with genuine presence, feeling the warmth of the hands on the face, noticing the jaw, the cheeks and the brow can begin to activate those same pathways.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-319d283 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"319d283\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e67ae34\" data-id=\"e67ae34\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b492a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f4b492a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-04b9d2b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"04b9d2b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7c79a0\" data-id=\"f7c79a0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f1278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6f1278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">frequently asked questions<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdce83b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdce83b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why do I carry tension in my shoulders and neck?&nbsp;<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c7367e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c7367e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">The shoulders and neck are among the most common places the body holds stress and often people don&#8217;t realise they are doing it. When the body&#8217;s stress response activates, muscles throughout the body brace for action. If stress continues without real rest and recovery, those muscles may stay in that guarded state indefinitely to the point where it can simply start to feel normal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dcab26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9dcab26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can stress cause physical pain in my muscles?&nbsp;<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fab7381 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fab7381\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It can. When the body remains in a stress state, muscles stay in a kind of low-level readiness that may build into real soreness and fatigue. Stress hormones may also contribute to inflammation, which compounds the discomfort.\u2076<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81a965b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81a965b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What does chronic muscle tension feel like?&nbsp;<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c210f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c210f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It often shows up as persistent tightness or achiness, particularly in the shoulders, neck, jaw or lower back. It may also feel like a body that never quite switches off: difficulty sleeping even when exhausted, or a heaviness that is hard to explain. Because it tends to build gradually, it may become so familiar that it stops registering as tension at all.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af4f2c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af4f2c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How do I release stress from my body?&nbsp;<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566b239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"566b239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Use a simple body scan as a starting point, bringing slow, deliberate attention to each area of the body, contracting and then releasing with a sighing breath. From there, intentional touch, whether that is a skincare ritual, self-massage or a professional treatment, along with breathwork and gentle movement, may all help support the nervous system back toward rest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6439cb1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6439cb1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can massage help with stress-related muscle tension?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72526e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72526e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes it can. Slow, rhythmic touch activates specific nerve fibres that signal to the brain it is safe to shift out of alert mode. The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/massage\/relaxation-massage\/organic-massage\/\">endota Organic Relax Massage<\/a><\/span> is designed to support this nervous system shift.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aefed92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aefed92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a body scan and how does it work?&nbsp;<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d21c711 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d21c711\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A body scan is a simple awareness practice that involves bringing slow, intentional attention to different areas of the body to notice where tension might be held, without trying to immediately fix anything. Deliberately contracting and then releasing muscle groups may help to build interoceptive awareness, the ability to sense what is happening internally. It is also a way of communicating back to the nervous system that it is safe to rest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-39948f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"39948f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9b331d8\" data-id=\"9b331d8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bcd6bc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3bcd6bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9604ee2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9604ee2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-22d4b29\" data-id=\"22d4b29\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a3e3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03a3e3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">references<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c925e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03c925e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b9Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Stress and trauma. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra. Retrieved from<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/mental-health\/topic-areas\/health-wellbeing\/stress-and-trauma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/mental-health\/topic-areas\/health-wellbeing\/stress-and-trauma<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b2Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Ayers, D., &amp; Sanvictores, T. (2024, May 7). Physiology, Stress Reaction. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b3Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Ayers, D., &amp; Sanvictores, T. (2024, May 7). Physiology, Stress Reaction. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2074Ingvars Birznieks, &amp; Ingvars Birznieks. (2025). C\u2010tactile afferents: The mystery of human emotional touch has been hidden hair\u2010deep. The Journal of Physiology, 603(16), 4441\u20134442. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/jp289528\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/jp289528<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2075Dickinson H. Organic Relax Massage Feasibility Trial Report. endota; [2020]. Heart rate data based on n=9 of 16 participants for whom quality heart rate data was obtained. This was a small feasibility trial; statistical analysis was not performed.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2076Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Ayers, D., &amp; Sanvictores, T. (2024, May 7). Physiology, Stress Reaction. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK541120\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd21fb8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd21fb8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f73be8\" data-id=\"3f73be8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab8417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ab8417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Hayley Dickinson is a women&#8217;s health scientist and reproductive physiologist with expertise in stress and nutrition. She is part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, a group of experts who share <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation-dr-hayley-dickinson\/\">evidence-based insights<\/a><\/span> to help people better understand how their bodies and minds work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57338a5\" data-id=\"57338a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-febeb74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"febeb74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Hayley-Dickinson-4-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63781\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Hayley-Dickinson-4-2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Hayley-Dickinson-4-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Hayley-Dickinson-4-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Hayley-Dickinson-4-2-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stress affects the physical and emotional wellbeing of millions of Australians and while it looks different for every one of us, more than half of us experience at least one significant personal stressor in any given year.\u00b9 It might show up as tension in your shoulders and neck, a jaw that stays clenched long after [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":63875,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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