In a world that never slows down, learning how to release tension from the body is not just a luxury-it’s essential for holistic health. At our wellness center in Mokena, we blend healing arts, somatic practices, and science-backed techniques to support true wholistic wellness-body, mind, and spirit. Below are 10 powerful ways to relieve stress, unlock stuck energy, and reconnect to your body’s innate wisdom.
10 ways to Release Body’s Tension:
1. Breathwork and Somatic Awareness
Conscious breathing regulates the nervous system and is a key to integrative health and wellness. Techniques like box breathing or alternate nostril breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging calmness. Combine this with somatic awareness-tuning into physical sensations-and you create space for stored emotions to surface and release.
2. TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)
A lesser-known but profoundly effective method, TRE uses gentle exercises that trigger neurogenic tremors-natural shaking that helps the body discharge deep muscular patterns of stress and trauma. This tremor mechanism is a primal release tool, especially effective when combined with breath and somatic presence.
3. Movement and Embodied Release
Physical activity shifts stagnant energy and emotions. From restorative yoga and yoga nidra, to Pilates, Zumba, or mindful walks, movement is medicine. It activates endorphins and reconnects us with our body’s rhythm-an essential part of holistic health.
4. Journaling and Drawing
Both are tools for somatic-emotional processing. Journaling externalizes inner narratives, while drawing taps into non-verbal emotions and unconscious layers. Together, they offer surprising pathways to clarity, catharsis, and integration.
5. Community and Connection
The quality of our relationships shapes our daily habits, health, and stress levels. Being in a supportive community that values wholistic wellness can elevate your vibration. Positive social interactions boost oxytocin, a key stress-relieving hormone.
6. Massage Therapy & Energy Healing
Massage in Mokena combined with Reiki or craniosacral therapy can release physical tension and emotional imprints, particularly in areas like the upper back, neck, and jaw-common stress storage points. Energy work unblocks stagnation and supports subtle body alignment.
“If we want to improve our mental and physical health, we need to learn how to befriend our nervous system.”
7. Vagus Nerve Resetting
The vagus nerve is your body’s internal switch to “rest and digest.” Techniques like humming, gargling, cold water splashes, and even laughter reset this nerve, calming the system and reducing chronic stress.
8. Nature and Nutrition
Sunlight boosts vitamin D3, essential for mood regulation. Vitamin B-complex (especially B6 and B12) supports the nervous system. Clean, whole foods and herbal teas (like Melissa and St. John’s Wort) nourish your body—just be mindful of medication interactions.
9. Meditation and Sleep Hygiene
A daily body scan meditation helps you observe and release tension layer by layer. Sleep in a fully dark room aligns your circadian rhythm and supports melatonin production. Aim for consistent sleep and wake times for optimal recovery.
10. Water: Warm and Cold
Warm water soothes digestion and supports the nervous system, while cold face immersions or icy water splashes activate the vagus nerve. Hydration is critical-every cell depends on it for clarity and calm.
Increase your knowledge and add practices to your Daily Routine
These 10 practices merge scientific insight with energetic intelligence-bridging the gap between body, soul, and science.
Explore more at our wellness center in Mokena, where integrative health and wellness meet healing arts in a nurturing community setting.
References:
Porges, S.W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory. Norton & Co.
Berceli, D. (2008). The Revolutionary Trauma Release Process. Namaste Publishing.
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Viking.
NIH: Effects of B vitamins on stress: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/
Harvard Health: Yoga and meditation for stress: https://www.health.harvard.edu
