When the system has been carrying too much for too long
If you’re feeling tense, restless, overwhelmed, or unable to properly switch off, it’s rarely because you’re doing something wrong.
Stress is not a weakness.
It’s a physiological load.
At Livelong, stress is understood as the body’s response to sustained demand — not just mental pressure, but physical, emotional, and environmental load that accumulates quietly over time.
Let’s reframe stress
Many people think of stress as something psychological. Clinically, stress shows up everywhere:
- disrupted sleep
- persistent muscle tension
- heightened pain sensitivity d
- igestive or immune changes
- shallow breathing
- fatigue that doesn’t resolve with rest
These are not separate problems. They are signs of a nervous system that has been asked to stay alert for too long.
How the nervous system adapts under pressure
The nervous system’s job is to keep you safe. When demand exceeds recovery, it adapts by:
- increasing alertness
- tightening muscles
- reducing recovery depth
- prioritising short-term coping over long-term repair
This works — until it doesn’t.
Over time, the system loses flexibility. You may feel “on edge”, wired but tired, or unable to fully relax even when nothing is wrong.
Understanding this removes blame — and opens the door to change.
How Tom works with stress — differently
Tom works with stress as a whole-system issue, not a mindset problem.
This involves understanding:
- nervous system tone and regulation
- breathing patterns and oxygen tolerance
- physical tension and load distribution
- sleep quality and recovery rhythm
- how life demands are being carried in the body
Rather than adding techniques, the focus is often on reducing unnecessary effort and restoring the system’s ability to shift between states.
What care looks like in practice
Care is calm, grounded, and unrushed.
Sessions may involve:
- hands-on work to reduce physical holding
- acupuncture to support regulation
- breathing and pacing strategies
- education around recovery and load
Progress often feels subtle at first — deeper rest, steadier energy, fewer flare-ups — before more noticeable change follows.
This work isn’t about “relaxing more reminding yourself to calm down”. It’s about helping the body feel safe enough to do so.
Who this approach suits best
This tends to suit people who:
- feel constantly “on”
- struggle to switch off properly
- notice stress affecting sleep, pain, or energy
- want a physical, practical approach to regulation
If stress feels like it’s living in your body rather than your thoughts, this approach often resonates.
Stress, season, and capacity
Stress tolerance changes with:
- workload
- sleep
- emotional demand
- time of year
Learning when to stabilise, restore, or gently progress is key to preventing burnout and long-term depletion.