With September comes yellowing leaves, cooler mornings, and that familiar back-to-school buzz. For some, it’s a burst of energy and breath of fresh air. But for many others, it’s a brutal return to reality, with its share of to-do lists, schedules to resume, and responsibilities that await. And that stress, while often silent, doesn’t stay in your head. It seeps into the body. You may have already felt it without realizing: a clenched jaw for no real reason, shoulders hunched up to your ears, a stiff neck, or that famous knot in the upper back that comes back just when the holidays seem like a distant memory. And don’t forget those throbbing end-of-day headaches. These are not coincidences. They are signals.
When the mind cannot cope, the body speaks out
Stress is not just an emotional state. It’s a very real physical reaction. When we feel overwhelmed, even if we don’t verbalize it, our nervous system goes into “alert” mode. Muscles contract, sometimes continuously, as if they were preparing to flee or fight, even if your days simply involve filling out forms or running between appointments.
The most-affected areas are often the trapezius, the neck, the lower back, and, of course, the jaw. Over time, this constant tension can become painful, limiting, or even lead to sleep disorders or chronic fatigue.
So, what should we do? It’s not enough to say: “I have to relax.” You have to help the body release some tension. Thankfully, nature has more than one trick up its sleeve.
Key solutions for relieving physical tension
Firstly, there is one major player that is often overlooked: magnesium. This mineral plays a key role in nervous system regulation and muscle relaxation. However, chronic stress depletes magnesium reserves, further increasing muscle tension—it’s a vicious circle. Reintroducing it in a highly absorbable form, such as bisglycinate, helps muscles relax more easily, reduces cramps and promotes deeper sleep.
In terms of plant-based solutions, some possess highly valuable properties for relaxing muscles and regulating the nervous system. Take, for example, skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), this North American plant is one of your best allies against deep nerve tension. Used mainly in tinctures and herbal teas, it acts both as a nervous tonic (strengthening a fatigued nervous system) and as a muscle relaxant. It is particularly useful for people who are tense from head to toe, with neck pain or a clenched a jaw, typical of repressed stress.
Another remarkable but somewhat unassuming plant is lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). It stands out for its ability to relax both the mind and the smooth muscles of the body. More than just a calming plant, it is also a powerful antispasmodic, making it a valuable ally when stress is manifested through internal muscle tension. It can also be particularly effective when stress affects the digestive system. In herbal teas, capsules or tinctures, lemon balm softens the body’s reactions to stress and promotes a general feeling of relaxation, but without any drowsiness.
To soothe pain in the back, the neck or shoulders, devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a valuable ally. Known for its natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, this root, usually available in capsule form, is ideal when stress manifests itself in the body as persistent muscle stiffness. With its anti-inflammatory action, it helps free up tight areas, soften tissues and restore mobility where tension has built up. This can be a great help when stress takes hold in the body and refuses to let go.
Another often-forgotten plant is the California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica). It acts gently on the nervous system, without causing dependency, and allows the body to relax from within, especially when dealing with tenacious and deep-seated tensions. In capsule or tincture form, the poppy soothes nerve pain and mental agitation. It is especially useful when muscle tension is accompanied by insomnia or nighttime awakenings.
Relieving stress and tension one small step at a time
Stress won’t disappear with a snap of your fingers. But by adopting a few simple habits, you can alleviate those unwelcome muscle tensions that build up on a daily basis. Natural, while not magical, solutions can be a great help when combined with soothing habits, such as gently massaging your temples with a relaxing blend of essential oils when overly tense. Go for a walk, do some stretching or even 10 minutes of deep breathing between meetings. You could even swap your late afternoon coffee for a lemon balm infusion to loosen your clenched jaw and clear the head.
Stress manifests itself in a unique way in everyone, and the tensions it causes in the body often reflect this. That’s why it’s important to adapt your approach to your current reality. Don’t hesitate to come and talk to our Rachelle Béry experts. They are there to help you find the safest natural solutions best suited to your needs. Because even the gentlest approaches require special attention—your state of health, lifestyle or current treatments can influence their effects. If you have any doubts, the advisers at Rachelle Béry’s Natural Source and Wellbeing section will always inform you with care and expertise.
Delphine Kubica, Naturopath and EESNQ graduate
Ecole d’enseignement supérieur de naturopathie du Québec
The health and medical information published or presented in this article is the opinion of the author only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should use their judgment. It is their responsibility to independently verify the information provided in the article. The contents of this article are for discussion and informative purposes only and should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A medical professional is the only person who can evaluate your health and give you advice following a medical examination. Rachelle Béry will not be liable for any of the information presented in this article or in any associated links, nor the use or misuse of the information.
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