Why Stress Makes Your Body Puffy, Achey, and Exhausted

(And How to Support It Naturally)

Stress gets blamed for a lot of things, and honestly… this time it deserves it.

Stress doesn’t just live in your head. It shows up in your tissues, your lymphatic system, your digestion, your hormones, and your energy levels. Sometimes all at once. Sometimes just enough to be annoying.

If you’ve been feeling inflamed, puffy, wired-but-tired, or like your body is quietly protesting, this is your explanation.

Herbal Support for Stress & Inflammation

(Because Your Body Is Tired of Being Braced)

Chronic stress keeps inflammatory pathways turned on long after the “threat” is gone. Over time, this can look like sore joints, muscle tightness, headaches, and general body crankiness.

Helpful anti-inflammatory herbs:

• Turmeric – supports inflammation regulation and tissue repair

• Ginger – warming, circulation-supportive, and anti-inflammatory

• Calendula – gentle inflammation and lymph support

• Boswellia (if used) – joint and connective tissue support

At Triple Moon: Anti-inflammatory herbal tinctures, teas, and topical preparations pair beautifully with deep tissue, therapeutic massage, and myofascial release to help tissues soften instead of brace.

Herbal Support for Lymph & Fluid Retention

(Why Stress Makes You Puffy)

Stress slows lymphatic movement. Lymph relies on motion, breath, and relaxation. When stress locks the body into survival mode, fluid tends to linger.

Helpful lymph-supporting herbs:

• Cleavers – classic lymph mover

• Red clover – lymph and skin support

• Dandelion leaf & root – fluid balance and gentle detox support

• Calendula – lymph + inflammation ally

At Triple Moon: These herbs pair especially well with lymphatic drainage massage, gentle cupping, dry brushing education, and detox-focused bodywork. This combination helps reduce puffiness, heaviness, and that “stuck” feeling.

Herbal Support for the Nervous System

(Exhausted but Wired Is a Nervous System Issue)

When stress becomes chronic, the nervous system forgets how to shut off. This leads to poor sleep, shallow breathing, mineral depletion, and low energy that coffee can’t fix.

Helpful nervous system herbs:

• Lemon balm – calming without sedation

• Passionflower – supports racing thoughts and sleep

• Skullcap – tension and overstimulation support

• Oat straw – nourishing, mineral-rich, deeply supportive

At Triple Moon: Nervous system herbs pair beautifully with craniosacral therapy, relaxation massage, red light therapy, and stress-focused sessions to help your body feel safe enough to rest.

The Stress–Inflammation–Lymph Loop (Quick Recap)

Stress → inflammation

Inflammation → sluggish lymph

Sluggish lymph → fluid retention

Fluid retention → discomfort

Discomfort → more stress

This loop isn’t your fault. But it can be gently interrupted.

How Triple Moon Massage & Natural Medicine Supports the Whole System

Stress doesn’t affect just one area, so support shouldn’t either.

Services offered include:

• Therapeutic & relaxation massage

• Deep tissue & myofascial release

• Lymphatic drainage massage

• Craniosacral therapy

• Cupping & vacuum therapy

• Red light therapy

• Foot detox sessions

• Prenatal & infant massage

• Stress management & wellness education

Natural medicine offerings include:

• Custom herbal tinctures & teas

• Topical salves & oils

• Aromatherapy support

• Energy-based therapies

• Holistic wellness consultations

Each session is designed to support the nervous system first, because when your body feels safe, everything else works better.

What Your Body Actually Needs

(Still Not Punishment)

✔ Gentle movement✔ Deep breathing✔ Consistent hydration✔ Mineral support✔ Massage and therapeutic touch✔ Herbal nourishment✔ Rest without guilt

No extreme detoxes. No forcing. No “push harder” mentality.

The Big Takeaway

Stress doesn’t just make you feel overwhelmed. It affects inflammation, fluid balance, energy production, and recovery.

If your body feels puffy, sore, or exhausted, it isn’t failing you.

It’s adapting.

With the right combination of bodywork, herbal support, and nervous system care, your body can shift out of survival mode and back into balance.

And yes… your face may stop holding onto water like it’s emotionally attached.

I will be having a class in April to get more into details on stress managment.