What to do when the body can no longer — and neither can the head?
You wake up in the morning feeling tired before the day has even begun. You function, complete tasks, care about others — but you lose sight of yourself more and more in the process. Sport? It'd be good. Movement? It would be important. But the thought of it is simply too much. And then comes the well-intentioned advice: “You just have to get out and get some fresh air,” “Exercise always helps.” Maybe that's true — but right now, it doesn't feel feasible.
For many women, this condition is not an isolated case, but an everyday occurrence. The mental load is high, the body is exhausted, the motivation is on the ground. And yet there is a power lying dormant in each of us — sometimes all it takes is the right impulse to awaken it again.
Why is movement so important for the psyche?
Movement doesn't just change our body — it changes how we feel, think and deal with challenges. When we move, we breathe more deeply, become more alert, clearer, more present. And: The body starts to release messenger substances that have an effect on our mental balance. Serotonin, dopamine, endorphins — these are not empty terms, but our inner mood enhancers.
Even small movements are enough to feel this effect. It doesn't have to be a marathon, a sweaty fitness program. Even moderate activation can be enough — if done regularly. That is exactly what makes the difference: that we start to feel ourselves again.
What if movement is not possible right now?
In certain phases of life — whether after exhaustion, during menopause, or simply in the midst of a busy everyday life — exercise feels more like another burden than a solution. Many women report: “I know that exercise would be good for me, but I just can't do it. ”
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can be a supporting bridge here. This technology activates muscles with gentle impulses — even when the body barely moves. While you are sitting or standing quietly, your body works in the background. The muscles contract, the metabolism gets going, the circulation is stimulated — and after a few minutes you often feel more alert, lighter, more internally straightened.
One example of such applications is EasyMotionSkin — a system that makes it easy to carry out EMS at home or in professional studios. No moving, no equipment, no pressure to perform. Simply: you and your body.
What happens during stressful phases — and how does the body help itself?
Stress isn't just a feeling. It is a biological state. The body is on alert — adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones flood the system. In the past, this meant fighting or fleeing. Today, we often remain seated — and the stress also persists.
When this inner tension persists for weeks or months, it starts to settle. In the neck. In digestion. While sleeping. In the mood. Exercise can help resolve this condition. It helps to reduce stress hormones, activates the parasympathetic nervous system — and creates space for recovery again.
The good thing is that these effects do not only occur during intensive workouts. Gentle muscle activation — such as through EMS — can also activate the circulatory system, flow through the body and thus also relieve the nervous system. Many women report that they feel noticeably calmer, clearer and more “with themselves” after one application. And that is often the first step in the right direction.
Can muscle impulses help with psychological problems?
Movement has long had a firm place in the treatment of mental illnesses. Studies show that regular physical activity can significantly alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or exhaustion. A major meta-analysis in British Journal of Sports Medicine evaluated data from over 128,000 people and came to a clear conclusion: Movement has an effect — often as strong as medication or psychotherapy.
But this is exactly where the challenge lies: Anyone in a mental health crisis often no longer has access to exercise. The body seems heavy, the drive is missing, the trust is gone. EMS can provide a gentle help to get started here. Because it activates the body without overwhelming it. Because initial experiences of success are possible — even when classical movement just doesn't work.
What does that have to do with self-care?
Self-care doesn't start at the weekend with a visit to the spa. It starts in the small moments in everyday life when you allow yourself to think about yourself. Ten minutes of silence. A conscious breath. Or a gentle activation of your body — just for you.
EMS can be one such moment. Not a training, but an invitation. To feel yourself. To feel your energy. To do something for yourself without expending yourself. There is often more power in the feedback from your body than in any instructions from outside.
Can this be integrated into a busy everyday life?
Many women live in a permanent balancing act between work, family and social expectations. Time for yourself quickly becomes a luxury. It is therefore all the more important to find methods that can be easily and simply incorporated into everyday life.
This is where EMS shows particular strength. The application is short, effective and requires no preparation or follow-up. It can be installed before breakfast, during lunch break or in the evening when the house comes to rest. Some users consciously integrate it as a ritual — as a fixed moment in the day that belongs only to them.
Why is a sense of self-efficacy so important?
Anyone who is under continuous stress often loses the feeling that they have an influence on their own well-being. Everything seems to be externally controlled — determined from outside. But that's exactly the feeling To be able to do something yourself, is one of the most important protective factors for mental health. Psychologists call this self-efficacy.
Even small physical changes can strengthen this feeling. A relaxed neck. A more peaceful night's sleep. A clearer mind. When you feel: I did something — and it was good for me, creates new trust. In yourself. In your body. In your ability to make a difference.
And this is exactly where the real power of such applications lies: They bring you back into contact with yourself — quietly, mindfully, effectively.
Conclusion: What really strengthens you?
Maybe it doesn't take much at all. No program. Not a destination. No change from outside. Perhaps it's enough to give yourself space again. To feel the body. And to remember: There is still strength — it had just gone silent.
Muscle activation through EMS may be a possible way to rediscover this access. Not a panacea, but a tool. One that seems quiet, profound — and that is exactly why it can change so much.
When you feel it's time to take care of yourself more again — start small. And see what happens when your body remembers what it's like to be in motion.
Source: The statements on the positive effects of physical activity on mental health are based on a comprehensive meta-analysis published in British Journal of Sports Medicine (February 2023). The study evaluated 97 systematic reviews with over 128,000 participants. The result: Regular exercise reduced depressive symptoms by 43% on average, anxiety symptoms by 42% and general stress by 66%. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106195