How to Relieve Body Aches From Stress

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the content I create here on the blog! You can read my full Disclosure Policy for more details.

You didn’t work out. You didn’t sleep weird. You didn’t lift anything heavy. And yet somehow your shoulders are tight, your neck feels sore, and your lower back is sending subtle complaints all day long.

If you’re dealing with body aches from stress, you’re not imagining things.

Stress has a sneaky way of showing up in our bodies, especially when we’re busy, overwhelmed, or constantly pushing through the day. One minute you’re answering emails and juggling responsibilities like a pro, and the next you’re wondering why your body feels stiff, achy, or tense for no clear reason.

The frustrating part? Stretching doesn’t always fix it.

The truth is, stress-related body aches usually aren’t caused by anything being wrong with your muscles — they’re caused by how your nervous system responds to pressure. Once you understand why stress makes your body tense up and what actually helps it let go, finding relief starts to feel a whole lot more possible.

Let’s talk about how to relieve body aches from stress.

Why Stress Causes Body Aches

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind — it lives in your body.

When you’re under stress, your nervous system shifts into a protective mode. Muscles tighten. Your body braces. Breathing gets shallower. This is your body’s way of preparing you to respond to pressure.

In small doses, that response is helpful. In real life, where stress lingers for weeks or months, that tension never fully turns off.

Instead, your body stays partially contracted all the time.

That’s why stress-related body aches often show up as:

• Tight shoulders and neck pain
• Jaw clenching or tension headaches
• Lower back soreness
• Hip or glute stiffness
• General achiness with no clear cause

Your muscles aren’t injured — they’re overstimulated and exhausted from holding tension for too long.

What Helps Relieve Body Aches From Stress

Calm the Nervous System Before Targeting the Pain

If your nervous system still feels threatened, muscles will keep holding tension — even with stretching, massage, or posture fixes.

Calming signals help your body feel safe enough to release.

This can look like:

• Slower breathing
• Lower lighting in the evening
• Warmth (showers, heating pads, cozy layers)
• Quiet or low-stimulation time

Once your nervous system settles, muscle relief becomes much easier — and often more lasting.

Use Gentle Movement Instead of Forcing It

When stress is the cause, aggressive stretching or intense workouts can actually make aches worse.

Gentle movement helps muscles release without triggering more bracing:

• Slow walks
• Light stretching
• Mobility movements
• Easy yoga

The goal isn’t to “fix” your body — it’s to remind it that movement can feel safe and non-demanding.

Support Your Energy Earlier in the Day

Chronic stress and low energy go hand in hand.

Skipping meals, rushing nonstop, and relying on caffeine to push through fatigue all keep stress hormones elevated — which keeps muscles tense.

Eating regularly, staying hydrated, and taking short breaks throughout the day help prevent stress-related body aches from building up later.

Your body relaxes more easily when it doesn’t feel depleted.

Stop Waiting Until You’re in Pain to Address Tension

If the only time you notice your body is when it hurts, tension has already been stacking up for hours — or days.

Small, consistent calming cues throughout the day help prevent aches from getting to that point:

• Pausing between tasks
• Dropping your shoulders intentionally
• Taking a few slow breaths
• Letting your jaw soften

You don’t need big resets — just frequent reminders that it’s okay to ease up.

Best Supports for Body Aches From Stress

I always want to say this first: lifestyle shifts matter most. But when stress-related tension feels like it’s stuck in your body, the right support can make a huge difference — especially while your nervous system is relearning how to relax.

These are the tools I reach for most often and recommend again and again because they’ve been genuinely helpful — not because they’re trendy or overhyped.

1. Magnesium for Muscle Tension and Stress-Related Aches

My favorite: Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate

Why this one: it helps relax tight muscles and calm the nervous system without making me feel groggy or upsetting my stomach.

When my stress shows up physically — tight shoulders, a stiff neck, lower back soreness, or that constant “everything in my body feels clenched” feeling — magnesium is usually the first thing I turn to.

What I love about magnesium glycinate specifically is that it doesn’t knock you out or act like a muscle relaxer. It just gently helps your body let go. For pain that comes from stress rather than injury, that nervous system support makes all the difference.

Shop Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate here

2. Heat Therapy for Deep Muscle Relaxation

My favorite: Drewin Weighted Heating Pads

Why this one: heat increases blood flow and gives your nervous system a clear signal that it’s safe to soften.

Stress tension almost always settles in my neck, shoulders, and lower back — and heat is one of the fastest ways I’ve found to get relief. The added weight makes it even more grounding, like your body can finally stop bracing.

Using heat regularly (not just when pain is bad) has helped me keep tension from building up and lingering. It’s simple, but incredibly effective when your body feels stuck in “on” mode.

Shop Drewin Weighted Heating Pads here

3. Deep Pressure Support for a Body That Won’t Let Go

My favorite: Bearaby Weighted Blanket

Why this one: deep pressure helps calm the nervous system and reduce that constant, unconscious muscle guarding.

If your body feels sore even when you’re resting — like you can never fully relax — deep pressure can be incredibly grounding. The gentle weight creates that “being held” feeling, which many nervous systems respond to with an automatic sense of safety.

I find this especially helpful when:

• My body feels tense all over
• I hold stress physically without realizing it
• Rest doesn’t actually feel restorative

Sometimes the best relief isn’t doing more — it’s giving your body permission to finally let go.

Shop Bearaby Weighted Blanket here

FAQs About How to Relieve Body Aches From Stress

Can stress really cause body aches?

Yes, stress can absolutely cause body aches. When you’re under stress, your nervous system keeps your muscles slightly tense to protect you. Over time, that constant tension can lead to soreness, stiffness, and aching even if there’s no injury or physical strain.

What do stress-related body aches feel like?

Stress-related body aches often feel like ongoing tightness or soreness in the neck, shoulders, lower back, jaw, or hips. The discomfort may come and go, worsen during stressful periods, and improve with rest or calming activities rather than physical treatments alone.

How do you relieve body aches caused by stress?

Relieving body aches from stress starts with calming the nervous system. Gentle movement, regular meals, heat therapy, magnesium, and creating moments of relaxation throughout the day can help muscles release and reduce ongoing tension.

Where does the body hold stress the most?

The body commonly holds stress in the neck, shoulders, jaw, lower back, and hips. These areas are most likely to tense during the fight-or-flight response, especially during long periods of emotional or mental stress.

Why does my body ache even when I’m resting?

If your body aches while resting, it’s often because your nervous system is still in high-alert mode. Muscles may stay contracted even when you’re still, making rest feel uncomfortable until your body receives enough calming signals to fully relax.

How long do stress-related body aches last?

Stress-related body aches can last days to weeks depending on stress levels and how consistently your nervous system is supported. Many people notice improvement within one to two weeks once they focus on calming cues and reducing daily tension.

Are body aches from stress the same as muscle injury?

No, stress-related body aches are different from muscle injuries. They usually don’t involve swelling, bruising, or sharp pain and often improve with relaxation, warmth, and nervous system regulation rather than aggressive treatments.

Can supplements help with stress-related body aches?

Supplements like magnesium can help support muscle relaxation and nervous system calm, which may reduce stress-related body aches. They work best when paired with lifestyle changes rather than used as a standalone solution.

Loved this post?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa, Slow Living Enthusiast

Hi, I’m Lisa. I write about slow living, nervous system care, and creating calm, intentional routines for everyday life. After spending 10 years living in Europe, I learned firsthand the art of savoring moments, embracing simplicity, and letting life unfold at a more human pace. My mission is to help you soften the edges of modern life and create space for a more intentional way of living.