One way to gain control over your stress response is to realize when it has become inappropriate.
Some stress is beneficial, but when and how does it become a problem for you? One way to determine
this is to watch your physical body closely. Often, even before your conscious mind becomes aware of
a stressor, the muscles in your body respond to it, becoming tense and rigid.
If you are under the influence of chronic stress, you probably have a few stress-related knots around your
neck and shoulders. Sound familiar? Work to release these knots through stretching, massage, and breathing
exercises such as those in the following chapters.
Be patient—your body has a stress habit, so these tense spots may take awhile to alleviate.
Also, notice how your body responds when you are in a highly stressful situation. Do you hold your
shoulders high? Does your breathing become shallow and rapid? These little details can be your clue to
the point at which stress hormones have gone from helpful to hurtful.

from the book ‘Brain Management’ by ilchi lee