04/17/2021
Our body is always trying to stay in a balanced state of homeostasis. When “normal” amounts of stress happens, our body can go on within regular physiological functioning levels.
Our stress response system is healthy and good for human beings because it keeps us safe! Think fight or flight…one of three stress responses…keeps you safe if a bear is ever chasing you.
The second stress response, called ‘the resistance reaction’ is a longer lasting response involving many hormones such cortisol. The resistance reaction stage is helpful when going through a stressful experience.
However sometimes if the stressor is chronic or if the body cannot handle the stressor, our body’s will move into a state of exhaustion.
Exhaustion is the third type of stress response. Remember, cortisol the hormone I mentioned in the second response? Continued levels of cortisol in the body and other hormones from the resistance stage (stage 2) can cause things like a suppressed immune system, muscle wasting and stomach ulcers. Chronic long term stress may lead to things like anxiety, depression, hypertension, IBS, and migraine headaches.
Practicing and checking in with our body awareness and practicing and incorporating stress management techniques that work for YOU are a great way to help curb those high levels of cortisol that can be damaging to our bodies. Things like meditation, walks in nature, yoga, massage therapy are all common ways to help encourage the release of good hormones and keeps our stress levels, leveled!