There is a bear chasing me!

When you encounter a physical threat (bear chasing you…) or even a perceived threat, like running late for work or a project deadline, a portion of your brain (the hypothalamus) sets off an alarm system in your body.

Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones. Adrenaline is one of the big players. This increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the main stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, elevates your brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. Basically all of this is happening to prepare you to run away from that giant bear chasing you. However for most of us nowadays there is no bear.

Some of today’s most common sources of stress.

When the normal process goes wrong.

The human body’s stress-response system is usually self-limiting.

As in, once a perceived threat has passed (the bear is gone), hormone levels return to normal and other systems resume their standard activities.

However, when stressors are always present and you persistently feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. Modern day stressors like work pressures, family difficulties or relationship problems are not a threat to our physical survival. However, our brain still goes into survival mode and floods our bodies with stress hormones. Your brain does not know the difference between a real and perceived threat.

The long-term stimulation of the stress-response system, creates an overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones. This can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. In addition, can put you at increased risk of numerous health problems. Anxiety, depression, digestive problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep problems and slower healing from disease and injury to name a few.

That’s why it is so important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors and implement them in your life.

How can I manage my stress?

Unless you are being chased by a bear on a daily basis, most of us experience stress of which the origin is an emotional or mentally perceived threat.

Stress is an example of how the emotions and mental state of an individual have a clear and immediate physical reaction.

So taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is vital.

Exercise, eating healthily, meditation, or even just taking a little time to yourself each day are key ways to de-stress and keep your immune system healthy. 

Many people don’t realize that hands-on therapy can play a big part in reducing stress. Releasing tension on a physical level allows better communication between the brain and the body. This allows us to work at our optimal level. Maintaining normal balance of our stress hormones and immune system allows all of our body systems to work properly at their ideal level.

If, despite your best efforts are struggling with stress levels, hands-on gentle care or sound therapy at NBH make be suitable for you. Supporting your recovery and allowing you to live a happier, healthier life. Contact the clinic here or on 087 1815007 to arrange your first visit.

Read more about what to expect from my treatments.