Have you ever wondered why your physical well-being seems intertwined with your thoughts and emotions? The truth is, many of your physical ailments are caused by your mind. Let’s explore how stress, in particular, can tip the balance and push your body into survival mode.
Living Under Stress: The Survival Mode
When you perceive a stressful situation—one over which you have no control or ability to predict—your primitive nervous system kicks into action. This system, known as the sympathetic nervous system, mobilizes an immense quantity of energy in response to the stressor. But what happens next?
- Heightened Awareness: Your pupils dilate, allowing you to see more clearly.
- Increased Vital Signs: Your breathing and heart rates rise, preparing you to run, fight, or hide.
- Glucose Surge: More glucose is released into your circulation, providing extra energy for your cells.
- Blood Flow Redistribution: Blood diverts to your extremities, away from core organs, enabling rapid movement.
- Adrenaline and Cortisol: Flooded into your muscles by the immune system, these hormones boost energy levels.
The Brain’s Response
As stress persists, your brain undergoes transformations. Circulation shifts from your rational forebrain to your hindbrain, reducing your ability to think creatively. Instead, you rely on instinct to respond quickly. But here’s the catch: humans don’t reset like animals do.
The Unending Cycle
Unlike animals, whose nervous systems complete the natural response by “shaking off” trauma, humans often hold stress in their bodies. If the threat doesn’t cease within a few hours, the body remains in emergency mode. It uses stored energy to combat the ongoing danger sensed in the outside world. As a result, your internal environment is left with very little energy.
Remember, you’re designed to withstand brief periods of stress, but prolonged stress disrupts the delicate balance. Your body never fully returns to equilibrium. It’s time to recognize the impact of stress on your health and take steps to restore balance.
