24/02/2023
How does the body respond to stress?
There are two very important systems involved: the sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the “fight or flight response” and the parasympathetic nervous system, which generally promotes the “rest and digest” processes. The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological response to a perceived threat, while the rest and digest response is the body's way of calming down and restoring balance.
The fight or flight response occurs when the brain senses danger or a perceived threat. This could be a a real threat such as running from a predator or an imagined threat such as the anticipation of something bad happening.
In response, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which cause the heart rate to increase, pupils to dilate, and other physical changes. This response is designed to give the body the energy it needs to either fight off danger or flee from it.
Once we feel safe and the threat has passed, our parasympathetic nervous system releases hormones like acetylcholine, which cause the heart rate to slow, breathing to become deeper, and muscles to relax. This response is designed to help the body restore balance, allowing it to recover and repair.
Chronic stress can cause our flight or fight system to become over activated. When this system is overactive, inflammation increases and tissue repair decreases. Overtime, this can contribute to a number of health issues including anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal issues, heart disease, thyroid disorders, autoimmunity, diabetes, cognitive decline, to name a few. Consciously activating the parasympathetic nervous system with things like meditation, breathing exercises, spending time in nature, and yoga can help increase our tolerance to stress, increase our happiness, and help restore balance to our health.
