19/08/2026
WHERE DO YOU HOLD YOUR STRESS?
Have you ever noticed that when you're stressed, worried or overwhelmed, your whole body seems to change?
đź’śYour shoulders creep upwards.
đź’śYour jaw tightens.
đź’śYour breathing becomes shallower.
đź’śYour neck and back feel tense.
đź’śYou might even find yourself curling forward or making yourself smaller.
Our emotions don't just happen in our thoughts — we can feel them physically too.
When we're under prolonged stress, the nervous system can keep the body in a more guarded, tense state. And when we're repeatedly holding ourselves in certain positions, those patterns can start to feel normal.
But emotions are only one part of the picture. Our posture and muscle tension can also be affected by:
đź’ś Our jobs and working positions
đź’› Hours spent on phones, laptops and computers
đź’ś Driving
đź’› Previous injuries or pain
đź’ś Strength and mobility
đź’› Activity levels
đź’ś Everyday habits
đź’› Stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing
Think about how many of us spend our days leaning forward — hairdressers, therapists, nail technicians, office workers, drivers, crafters and so many others.
Then add life's stresses on top of that. Sometimes we don't even realise how much tension we're carrying until someone says...
“Drop your shoulders.”
..and suddenly you realise they're practically touching your ears!
This is one of the things I love about holistic therapies. As the body begins to relax, you may notice the breathing becoming deeper, the jaw softening, the shoulders dropping and that feeling of constantly being “on” beginning to settle.
It doesn't mean that every posture has a particular emotional meaning, or that we can look at someone's body and know what they've experienced. But it does remind us how beautifully connected the mind and body can be.
So today, take a moment and check in with yourself.
đź’ś Are your shoulders relaxed?
đź’ś Is your jaw clenched?
đź’ś Are you holding your breath?
đź’ś Where are you carrying tension?
Sometimes your body simply needs permission to soften.
Where do you notice yourself holding stress the most?