Stress has become that ubiquitous term for our response to the enormity of life s experience, specifically the inevitability of life s disappointments, sorrows, tragedies and all those little things that go wrong. Any concept that encompasses such a vast scope of human experience is unquestionably complex, yet the essence of stress can be described in very simple terms. Those cognitive and emotional aspects of the definition suggest that individual perceptions of stress are subjective. The stress response, however, also triggers a series of significant, identifiable physiological changes which, in the face of real danger, maximize one s chances for survival. Colossal surges from the adrenal glands and the mobilization of other hormones cause increases in heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, muscle tension and brain activity.
Digestion ceases and peripheral blood vessels constrict.
The body is braced for an emergency with enhanced strength and alertness. The stress response can be a lifesaver if there is an immediate, physical threat that must be faced. If, however, this stress response is frequently tripped and becomes established as a chronic hyper-alert state, its protective purpose is turned upside down. In fact, medical research provides compelling evidence of a strong relationship between chronic stress and certain illnesses, specifically heart disease, hypertension, depression and compromised immune response. Immune suppression is particularly problematic, as it leaves one vulnerable to a vast array of diseases and physical malfunction.