In addition to causing emotional and mental turmoil, stress can produce significant body-wide effects that impede your quality of life. From headaches to widespread muscle tension, chronic stress can create a host of persistent, uncomfortable symptoms. In honor of Stress Awareness Month this April, discover how stress affects the body and how you can combat it below.

A Guide to the Impact of Stress

The Toll of Stress

Stress can impact your body, mood, and behavior. Angry outbursts, poor eating habits, social withdrawal, and feelings of sadness, irritability, and lack of motivation are just a few of the mental and emotional implications of being stressed. Over the long term, however, stress left unaddressed contributes to serious health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Symptoms of Stress

In addition to mood and behavioral changes, stress often manifests as physical symptoms. For one, stress may contribute to tension in the neck and scalp, producing tension headaches. These painful headaches feel as if a band is squeezing the head, causing pressure. Stress can also cause muscle pain, upset stomach, sleep issues, and fatigue.

How Massage Therapy Helps

Often, there may be a root cause of stress which needs to be addressed. Unrealistic job expectations, strained relationships, and chaotic schedules are some stressors that may need to be confronted to improve your quality of life. Yet, sometimes finding healthy stress management practices is also a solution. Massage therapy, in particular, is effective not only for relieving stress but also its symptoms, including muscle tension, headaches, and sleep problems. It can also produce feelings of relaxation and comfort, which will further alleviate anxiety.

If you’re seeking relief from stress, allow the specialists from The Human Repair Shop to help. Serving St. Louis, MO, this practice offers massage therapy, reflexology, and additional treatments to combat frustrating symptoms such as muscle aches and headaches. Browse through their full list of services online or call (314) 956-4101 to book your treatment today.