You can also contact us by clicking here. The emotional, mental and physical effects of stress and symptoms can be devastating. Understanding how stress and relaxation work is the only way you can find relief. Let’s do it…
‘…we are more susceptible to emotional and physical illness when we feel we can’t control stress. Dr. Gregg D. Jacobs
Years ago, I was searching for information on drug-free insomnia treatments and came across a wonderful book.
Gregg D. Jacobs PhD wrote Goodnight to Insomnia, a drug-free program proven more effective than medications.
What we’re doing
This book contains valuable information about how stress and relaxation work. This is where we should be.
We will do it in two parts to maximize the learning. We’ll start with our stress response and then move on to our relaxation response.
We are off with you…
Our Stress Response
When we are faced with stressful or threatening circumstances, our stress response (SR), also known as the fight/flight reaction, causes a series of physiological changes.
It pushes us into a state where we are arouse and ready.
By the way, it’ll be helpful to read up on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). The med-speak is not scary, but it’s still interesting.
Stress Response in Action
Here’s what happens if our SR is activated…
- Stress hormones like cortisol (cortisol) and adrenaline, or epinephrine (epinephrine), are pumped into our system to put us on edge.
- Increased blood pressure and respiratory rate to boost physical strength and energy.
- Increased visual and auditory acuity and faster brainwaves to improve alertness and mental reaction.
- Reduced blood flow in the stomach and extremities and increased blood circulation to the heart, brain, muscles and lungs for support of fight/flight.
- Muscle tension increases. This evolutionary mechanism allowed our cave dwelling ancestors assess danger while remaining immobile to avoid being seen by predators. The “body armor” also protected them and prepared them to fight/flight.
- Sweating to cool down the body.
- An increase in blood sugar levels can reduce fatigue and boost energy.
You may have experienced some of these symptoms and felt distressed when you did not understand why they were happening. It could be that your SR was churning beneath conscious awareness.
Let’s not forget that those of us who suffer from a mood disorder or anxiety disorder are very sensitive to both our internal and external environment.