How Our Bodies React To

Stress And Anxiety

addo I RECOVERY PRESENTED BY

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR BODY’S

SENSORY SYSTEM DETECTS STRESS?

YOUR BRAIN’S

HYPOTHALAMUS SENDS A SIGNAL TO

YOUR ADRENAL GLANDS

THE ADRENAL gLANDS, LOCATED JUST

ABOVE THE KIDNEY, THEN DUMP BUCKET LOADS OF ADRENALINE

INTO YOUR BLOODSTREAM.

THIS PROCESS OF LOADING YOUR BLOOD STREAM WITH ADRENALINE LEADS TO WHAT IS CALLED THE

“FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE” REACTIONS INCLUDE: •  INCREASED HEART RATE •  RELAXATION OF THE BLADDER •  SHAKING •  PALING OR FLUSHING •  DILATION OF THE PUPILS •  IMPROVED STRENGTH •  HIGHER PAIN TOLERANCE •  INCREASED ENERGY

HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER POWERFUL, YET LESS KNOWN HORMONE AT WORK, BEING

RELEASED BY YOUR

ADRENAL GLANDS.

IT’S CALLED

cortisol  CORTISOL IS REALEASED IN RESPONSE TO STRESS. ALL STRESS: PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL.

 CORTISOL GENERATES NEW ENERGY FROM STORED PRESERVES, AND DIVERTS THIS ENERGY FROM BASIC BODILY FUNCTIONS (SUCH AS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM) IN ORDER TO

SURVIVE MORE IMMEDIATE THREATS.    

THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT PROCESS CAN BE HELPFUL WHEN WE ARE IN HIGHLY ELEVATED, STRESSFUL SITUATIONS. HOWEVER, IT IS UNNECESSARY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AND CAN HAVE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS IF ENDURED BEYOND TEMPORARY EPISODES.  FURTHER IN THIS LESSON, WE WILL TEACH YOU HOW AND WHY ELEVATED STRESS AND ANXIETY IS DANGEROUS.

THANK YOU! PLEASE RETURN TO THE ONLINE LESSON TO CONTINUE.