19/11/2025
How Acute Stress Affects the Mind — and How Massage Can Help Ease Distress Disorders
New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) shows that acute stress can interfere with emotional regulation, especially in people with distress disorders like depression, anxiety or borderline personality disorder. A review of 17 studies found that stress may briefly disrupt key executive functions—working memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—essential for emotional stability.
These disruptions may help explain why some people struggle with treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which depends on these mental skills. Researchers also note that more study—especially on age, gender and conditions like PTSD or dysthymia—is needed to fully understand stress’s impact on the mind.
At Revivify Massage Therapies, we see how chronic stress and strain settle into the body, making it harder to think clearly or regulate emotions. While massage can’t replace clinical treatment, it can support wellbeing by calming the nervous system, easing tension, and helping the body move out of a stressed state. When the body feels safe and relaxed, the mind often follows.
By integrating regular massage into a self-care routine, many people find it easier to manage daily stress, build emotional resilience and feel more grounded as they move through therapy or personal challenges. We’re here to support that journey—one restorative session at a time.