10/03/2025
How does your nervous systemet react to the stress?
Normally your nervous system doesn't react to stress itself. It reacts to danger or trigger by stress. Stress is the process that occurs in the body when it prepares for a real or perceived threat. Stress is when our nervous system activates action (FIGHT OR FLIGHT). It has two main parts that regulate how we respond to danger or challenges:
- the Sympathetic Nervous System (FIGHT OR FLIGHT response).
When we sense "danger", this system automatically activates:
⛔️ Heart rate increases ❤️
⛔️Breathing becomes faster 😤
⛔️The body mobilizes energy, reducing digestive activity.💣
⛔️Dilate eyes' pupils🤯
⛔️Increases blood sugar🍬
When the threat passes, the body needs to "recover" (REST AND DIGEST) and it's called the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It switches on:
🔆heart rate slows down 💝
🔆breathing becomes slower and deeper 🙂↔️
🔆 the body relaxes and returns to a calm state 😎
🔆constrict eyes' pupils😌
This is a normal stress response cycle when the "challenge" is short-term. However, if stress persists for a long time (chronic stress) and the sympathetic nervous system remains active too long (due to constant stress factor), the body stays in a state of "FIGHT OR FLIGHT". This can lead to:
⚠️fatigue;
⚠️anxiety;
⚠️unclear body pain;
⚠️higher risk to various injuries and trauma.
❇️How to signal to your body that the "threat" has passed and activate the relaxation mode (REST AND DIGEST)?
✔️deep belly breathing exercises;
✔️varioys mindfulness techniques;
✔️ meditation or listening to nature sounds;
✔️ slow stretching exercises with deep breathing;
✔️ balance between job, personal life and hobby.
Balance of these two systems is the key to well-being.
Have you noticed how your body reacts to the stressfull "threat"? Share your experience in the comments🫶🤲
