Understand Your Body’s Stress Response

Stress is the body’s internal response to perceived threat or danger.  This response results in a release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol.  Our hearts beat faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and senses become sharper. These physical changes increase strength, stamina, reaction time, and focus to help fight or flee from danger.
Pros: In emergency situations the stress response can save your life.8-3
Cons: The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats.  So when you are stressed over a busy schedule, an argument with a friend, a mountain of bills or stuck in a traffic jam, your body is having the same response as if you were in a life or death situation.
If you find yourself to be stressed often, your stress response may be “on” more often then not, which keeps the additional hormones going indefinitely.  Stress in everyday life, if unaddressed, can lead to conditions like high blood pressure, headaches, chronic pain, food, alcohol and drug abuse, cancer, digestive issues, irregular heart functions, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
Are you ready to deal with your stress? Click Here