What an Antelope Can Teach Us About Stress

Most people think stress is something that happens in the mind.

We picture worry, anxiety, racing thoughts, emotional overwhelm, and the constant mental chatter that seems to follow us everywhere. While those are certainly part of the picture, stress is also a very physical experience. In fact, long before you consciously recognize that you're stressed, your body has already begun responding. Your muscles tighten, your breathing changes, your heart rate increases, and stress hormones begin circulating throughout your body.

Whether the stress comes from a difficult conversation, financial pressure, family conflict, a health scare, or simply an overloaded schedule, your body responds in remarkably similar ways. The stress response itself is not the problem. It was beautifully designed to protect us. The challenge is that many of us activate that response repeatedly throughout the day without ever giving the body an opportunity to fully settle back down.

That is why I want you to try something simple before bed tonight.

Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart, relax your shoulders, and unlock your knees. Then begin gently shaking your hands, arms, and legs. Allow the movement to travel naturally through your body without worrying about whether you're doing it correctly. Continue for about sixty seconds and then stop. There is no special equipment required, no complicated technique to learn, and no perfect routine to follow. Simply move and then notice how you feel.

To understand why this simple practice may be helpful, imagine an antelope grazing peacefully on the African savanna. Suddenly, it spots a lion. Within moments, its entire body shifts into survival mode. Its heart rate accelerates, adrenaline floods its system, blood flow is redirected to the muscles, and every part of its physiology prepares for one purpose: escape.

The antelope runs for its life.

If it successfully escapes, something fascinating often happens. Instead of immediately returning to grazing, it may pause and begin to shake. Its muscles tremble, tension dissipates, and its nervous system gradually transitions out of survival mode before it calmly returns to its day.

Humans experience many of the same physiological responses. We may not be running from predators, but our nervous systems do not always distinguish between a lion and a stressful email, financial uncertainty, relationship conflict, a difficult diagnosis, or an overwhelming workload. The body still prepares for action. Stress hormones are released. Muscles tighten. Breathing patterns change. The nervous system shifts into a protective state.

The difference is that most of us never complete the cycle.

Rather than moving through the stress response, we often remain seated at a desk, continue driving, scroll through our phones, or simply push through the day while carrying that activation with us. The body prepares for movement, but the movement never comes. Over time, this can contribute to the feeling of being simultaneously exhausted and wired. You may desperately want to relax, yet your body still feels tense. You may want to sleep, yet your nervous system seems unwilling to settle down.

This is one reason movement-based nervous system practices have gained so much attention in recent years. Rather than trying to think your way into relaxation, these practices invite the body to participate in the process. Many people notice that after a brief period of intentional shaking, their breathing becomes easier, their shoulders soften, and they feel calmer overall. It is as though the body receives permission to release some of the tension it has been carrying all day.

Tonight, take sixty seconds and try it for yourself. Then pause and pay attention. Notice your breathing, your shoulders, your jaw, and the overall sense of tension or ease within your body. Observe how you feel before you begin and how you feel afterward. You may find that such a simple practice creates a surprisingly noticeable shift.

Over the next few weeks, we're going to explore this topic further and discuss a powerful muscle hidden deep within the body that many people have never heard of. Understanding this muscle may help explain why stress so often shows up in the hips, pelvis, lower back, and core, even when the stressful event itself is long over. If you've ever wondered why your body seems to hold onto stress long after your mind has moved on, stay tuned.

Lisa Metzger, ND, FBCA

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided should not be considered medical advice and should not replace consultation with your physician or qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise, movement, or wellness practice.