Are You Feeling More Sore Than Festive? Why Stress Shows Up in Your Body

Christmas lights are up. Music is playing. Food is everywhere.
But instead of feeling relaxed and joyful… your shoulders are tight, your back feels stiff, and your jaw is glued shut.

Sound familiar?

For a lot of people, December delivers more tension than tinsel — and the body is usually the first place it shows. At Good Vibes Physio, we see it every year. Clients come in thinking something is “wrong” with their muscles, when really, their nervous system is simply under pressure.

The truth is: your body can feel stressed even when your mind is trying to be merry.

Let’s break down what’s really going on — and what you can do to feel better.

Why Stress Turns Into Soreness

When you’re busy — shopping, wrapping, travelling, cooking, organising, staying up late — your brain switches into “protective mode.”

That mode does this:

• Tightens muscles so you’re ready for action

• Speeds up breathing

• Increases muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw

• Reduces movement variety (you sit, stand, carry, and bend the same way over and over)

Result?
Hello stiffness. Hello aches. Hello festive muscle fatigue.

Even good stress (like seeing family or planning Christmas lunch) has the same physical effect.

Stress Loves These Muscle Hotspots:

You’ll most likely feel holiday tension in:

• Neck & shoulders

• Jaw

• Lower back

• Rib cage

• Hips
  

These areas tighten because they’re involved in breathing, posture, and movement — and stress changes all three.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Why You Might Be Sore Even If You’re Resting

Here’s something surprising:
We often hear, “I haven’t done anything! Why am I sore?”

The answer?
Stillness + stress = stiffness.

When December slows your routine down — less training, more couch time, more travel — your muscles move less. Combine that with stress, and tension sticks like glue.

Signs Your Body Is Holding Holiday Stress

If any of these sound familiar, your muscles are asking for help:

✔ Neck that cracks more than usual
✔ Lower back stiffness after sitting
✔ Jaw clenching or tooth sensitivity
✔ Shoulder tightness
✔ Headaches behind the eyes
✔ Fatigue without doing much
✔ Trouble relaxing before sleep

These aren’t random.
They’re messages.

Here’s the Good News:

Your body doesn’t actually need a full workout to feel better.
It just needs movement + breathing + variation.

5 Easy Ways to Feel Less Sore, More Merry

1. Move the Way You Would If You Felt Good

Your brain follows your body.
Stand tall, open your chest, swing your arms when you walk.
It tells your nervous system: “We’re safe.”

2. Breathe Slower Than You Think You Need To

Try:
Inhale 4 → hold 2 → exhale 6
Repeat x 4
This relaxes the muscles around your neck and ribs faster than stretching alone.

3. Change Positions Often

Sitting on the couch for hours?
Stand up. Stretch. Walk.
Small movement beats no movement.

4. Put Heat on What Feels Tight

Heat calms nervous system tension — especially shoulders and lower back.

5. Take a 5-Minute Mini Walk

Around the house. To the letterbox. Through the shops.
Walking resets posture, breathing, and the brain.

One Last Thing: You’re Not Broken

Holiday tightness isn’t a sign of weakness, injury, or “doing damage.”
It’s your nervous system asking for a little attention.
And once it gets that, soreness fades fast.

Book a physio session at Good Vibes Physio and walk into the new year feeling relaxed, mobile, and pain-free.