Cover Discover how top performers reset their nervous systems when their bodies remain switched on long after an intense experience finishes (Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Discover how top performers reset their nervous systems when their bodies remain switched on long after an intense experience finishes (Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
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What world-class performers can teach us about calming the physical body down when the high-stress moment has passed
When thousands of people chant your name for two hours, returning to a quiet dressing room creates a massive physiological shock. The heart rate stays elevated, cortisol and adrenaline flood the bloodstream, and muscles remain locked in high-alert mode. Performers cannot simply press a switch to enter rest mode when the stadium lights turn off. Leaving that state requires deliberate, sensory routines designed to signal safety back to the nervous system. Whether you have just wrapped a world tour, delivered a high-stakes presentation, or finished a grueling competition, the physical body takes time to process the end of an intense experience. The post-stage rituals of elite performers reveal practical strategies for stepping down from extreme stimulation and restoring internal equilibrium.
Here is how five well-known artists transition out of performance mode when their bodies are still switched on.
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Dua Lipa: Multi-sensory transition
To wind down after her arena shows, Dua Lipa steams her vocal cords,aks in an Epsom-salt bath, and removes her own makeup. Performing the skincare steps herself serves as a grounding physical task, while the warm bath relaxes tense muscles. By engaging her senses through heat, touch, and voice care, she creates a structured buffer between the stadium energy and sleep.
The science: Breathing in steam places moisture directly onto the vocal cords. These thin bands of tissue rub together hundreds of times per second during a show, and extra moisture helps them stay flexible while reducing soreness. Warm bathwater causes blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow and relaxes tight, overworked muscles. While taking time to wash off makeup focuses attention on simple physical touch, which tells the brain that the high-stress moment is over.
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Billie Eilish: Tactile grounding
Billie Eilish relies on her post-show skincare routine to regain a sense of normalcy. Spending time focused on a tactile, gentle practice allows her to reconnect with her physical self after hours of external focus. The predictable sequence of cleansing and moisturizing helps signal to her mind that the demands of the show are over.
The science: High-stress environments push the body into a default fight-or-flight state. Gentle, repetitive touching on the face activates nerve endings under the skin. These nerves send calm signals directly to the brain, which acts like a physical brake. The heart rate slows down, bringing attention away from the crowd and back to the body.
Harry Styles: Mental resetting
Immediately after leaving the stage, Harry Styles steps into the shower. He uses the water to mentally wash off the performance and mark a clear boundary between his public role and his personal life. The immediate change in environment and temperature helps interrupt the lingering momentum of the live show.
The science: Warm water spraying against the skin produces an immediate physical distraction for the nervous system. This sudden change in warmth and touch helps lower high stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. The sensation of rinsing off also gives the brain a simple physical cue that the demands of the day are finished, making it easier to switch off.
Hozier: Respiratory regulation
Hozier relies on quiet, deep breathing alongside a shower to lower his physiological arousal. Acknowledging that adrenaline can take hours to dissipate, he uses breath control to slow his heart rate and quiet his nervous system. The practice allows his body to process the residual stress at its own pace and come down from the “buzz”.
The science: Stress hormones linger in the bloodstream for a long time after an intense experience, keeping the heart pumping fast even in a quiet room. Taking slow, deep breaths—especially when breathing out longer than breathing in—directly presses the body’s natural pause button. This signals the main nerve connected to the heart to slow down its beating, helping clear out leftover stress faster.
Niall Horan: Comfort and restraint
Niall Horan transitions out of show mode by showering, changing into comfortable shorts, and watching Netflix. He also avoids drinking alcohol while on tour. Replacing high-intensity simulation with familiar, low-demand entertainment prevents secondary spikes in heart rate and supports physical recovery.
The science: Although alcohol can make a person feel tired initially, it actually acts as a stressor inside the body later in the night. It raises the resting heart rate and ruins deep, restoring sleep. Easy entertainment like watching a show keeps the mind occupied without raising stress levels. Loose, comfortable clothing prevents any annoying rubbing against sensitive skin, allowing the body to settle completely into rest mode.
These post-show habits show that unwinding is not about passively waiting for exhaustion to set in, but rather taking active steps to shift the nervous system back to a state of calm. High-pressure events throw the physical body into a state of high alert, and returning to equilibrium requires deliberate, sensory cues that signal safety and closure. Whether you rely on the temperature contrast of a quick shower, the rhythmic touch of a evening skincare routine, or intentional breath control, reclaiming calm is a physical process. Borrowing these simple, somatic tools from top performers can guide a hyper-stimulated mind and body off the stage, out of survival mode, and back to rest.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
