Many of us seem to be forever under pressure, we feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. We feel the burden of jobs, family, money, social responsibility, media and social media pressure.
But why do we feel constantly stressed?
Stress is actually a natural and necessary human response to ensure human survival. This is an automatic response where the body does everything it can to gear up for self-protection. A threat could be physical or mental, real or imagined (think a vivid dream).
A threat triggers the bodies sympathetic nervous system causing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to be released into the body, resulting in increased respiratory and heart rates and a reduction in non-vital organs such as the digestive system. In this state it is common to actually hold your breath. The release of these hormones heightens our senses and prepares our built-in defence system – the fight or flight response.
In today’s world our threats have changed. We no longer fear being attacked by a wild animal, but we do feel threatened if we feel we’ve been outcast from the tribe. Humans are social animals, and while being outcast may not feel like a physical threat, our bodies are still hard-wired to defend against any potential threats. Being ostracised makes us feel isolated and vulnerable, triggering the same physiological reactions our ancestors had when faced with potential death.
The stress response is essential for human survival however it’s not beneficial to stay in this state for long periods of time. The irony is that our bodies release stress hormones to prepare us for self-defence, but long-term exposure can result in health issues which can threaten our well-being, ranging from heart disease and obesity to anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, in the times we live in, many of us remain in this heightened state for long periods and we’ve lost the ability to manage it.
The objective isn’t to eliminate stress (although reducing it will definitely help) – our fight-flight response serves a purpose by narrowing our focus to help provide clarity when facing daily challenges. Instead, we need to be able to recognise this state and developpersonal tools that can manage stress when it occurs.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s time to take action. Take a deep breath. Focus on your physiology. Throw yourself into something that gives you enjoyment. Sport, hobbies, arts, mediation, practicing mindfulness, physical exercise or even just re-prioritising what’s on your plate can be good first steps in addressing the pressure.
Clearly there are numerous benefits physically, emotionally and mental in getting your stress levels under control.
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present” – Lao Tzu
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