Stress That Never Stops

Let’s Talk About Stress (Because We All Have It!)

Okay, let’s be honest — stress shows up like that uninvited guest who eats your snacks, leaves crumbs everywhere, and somehow never takes the hint to leave. Whether it’s work, family, bills, or just life being life… stress has a way of sneaking in and setting up camp.

But here’s the thing — stress isn’t always the bad guy. Sometimes, it’s just your body’s way of saying, “Hey, slow down!” or “Something’s off, and I need you to pay attention.” The problem comes when we let it run the show instead of learning how to manage it.

My Stress Story

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful stress can be — and how freeing it feels to finally let it go.

When I got out of the military, I was carrying a lot — mentally, emotionally, and physically. I weighed around 260 pounds, and honestly, I wasn’t doing much differently in my daily routine except stressing less.

After I medically retired and started feeling that release — that deep exhale I didn’t even realize I’d been holding — the weight started falling off. I wasn’t working out or chasing a strict diet plan. I was just… breathing again. Letting go. Resetting. The stress had been weighing me down more than anything else, and once it lifted, my body followed suit. (Maybe a little too fast, honestly!)

It was a huge reminder that sometimes what we need isn’t more effort — it’s less stress.

What Stress Actually Does

When you’re stressed, your body shifts into “fight or flight” mode. That means your heart races, muscles tense, and your brain starts running laps like it just had a double espresso. Over time, that constant tension can lead to headaches, fatigue, mood swings, and even mess with your sleep and immune system.

Translation: stress doesn’t just live in your head — it hangs out in your neck, shoulders, and lower back too (which is exactly where I come in 😌).

And here’s something I always tell clients — we don’t build knots in one day, so we can’t expect them to disappear in one session. Those tight muscles are like little storage units for stress. Each worry, late night, or long day adds another layer. And the more stress we carry — emotionally and physically — the more our body tightens up in response.

Before you know it, stress is sitting heavy on your shoulders, in your gut, and even on the scale. That “stress weight” doesn’t just weigh you down physically — it keeps the cycle going. The more you stress, the heavier you feel, and the heavier you feel, the more stress piles on.

Signs You Might Be More Stressed Than You Realize

• You’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw.
• You wake up tired, even after sleeping.
• You feel “on edge” or irritable for no real reason.
• You crave sugar, caffeine, or comfort food more than usual.
• You feel mentally foggy or find it hard to focus.

If you nodded “yes” to any of these, it might be time to hit the reset button.

Simple Ways to De-Stress

1. Move your body. Take a walk, stretch, dance in the kitchen — whatever gets you out of your head and into your body.
2. Breathe. Seriously. Deep breathing can work wonders. Try this: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4. Repeat 5 times. You’ll feel the shift.
3. Unplug. Step away from the phone and give your mind a break from the constant buzz.
4. Laugh. Watch something funny. Call that friend who always cracks you up. Laughter is real medicine.
5. Book a massage. Because stress melts faster when someone is literally kneading it out of you. Regular massage helps reset the body — loosening those long-held knots, improving circulation, and giving your mind permission to truly let go.

The Bottom Line

Stress is part of life — but it doesn’t have to run your life. When you start listening to what your body’s saying, you can turn stress from a storm into a signal. Take the hint. Breathe. Stretch. Laugh. And when you’re ready for that full-body reset, I’ve got the table waiting for you.

Ready to release what’s weighing you down?

Book your next session at Rest and Reset Massage and start letting go of stress — one deep breath (and one good session) at a time.