You Can't Stretch Stress Away: What to Try Instead
- Sandy Cole-Cross
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Ever find yourself stretching your neck for the fifth time in one day like it owes you money? Same. But here's the truth: it’s not always your muscles that are tight — it’s your nervous system that’s on edge.
Yup, I said it. Sometimes your tension isn’t physical — it’s your brain holding on for dear life.
The Stretch Trap
We’ve all been there: neck stiff, shoulders up in your ears, and you're Googling "best stretch for upper traps." You do the stretch, it feels good for about 2 minutes, and then… boom. Tight again.
That’s because stretching can’t solve a problem that’s rooted in stress signals. When your nervous system is in fight-or-flight, your body’s default is to brace — like you’re about to dodge a dodgeball 24/7.
So what do you do instead?
Glad you asked. Here’s what I teach my clients (and do myself when I feel like a stress noodle):
Try breath-led movement: Simple movements with big, slow breaths tell your nervous system it’s safe. (Bonus if you close your eyes for a moment — total reset.)
Switch from stretching to compressing: Compression tools (like massage balls or smart cupping) give your tissues a different kind of input — one that says, “Hey, you’re supported now.”
Here’s one of my go-to tools I actually use → Pro-Tech Orb Ball
Downshift your pace: A 10-minute “I’m doing nothing but feeling my breath” break is more powerful than any pigeon pose held for eternity.
Final Thought
Don’t get me wrong — stretching isn’t bad. It just isn’t the fix-all we think it is when stress and muscle tension get tangled. If your body's been yelling at you and stretching hasn’t helped, it might be time to try a different approach.
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