Early childhood experiences, according to Dr. McEwen, are key in setting the level of responsiveness of physical stress mechanisms and the physical and mental ability to manage our allostatic load. That is, a child who learns coping skills early, is given the chance to solve problems successfully, and is not subjected to isolation or other threatening situations will have better chances of growing into a healthy, productive adult who can handle stress. Common sense has long taught that this is so, and now we are beginning to see why, in physical and hormonal terms. Of course, one of the most important variables is how each person responds to stress. Some people meet stressful situations of all kinds and manage to find ways of solving problems.
Some people have a harder time.
Increasingly, says Dr. McEwen, consideration of allostatic load should be a factor that physicians consider when diagnosing and treating illness. Doctors ought to help patients reduce their allostatic stress level by helping them learn coping skills and change unhealthy habits. It is not possible to alter what happened to you as a child, nor can you simply drop your allostatic load by the side of the road like a suitcase. But if you live in isolation or without essential social support, you might try to reach out by, say, joining a volunteer or civic or church group, or perhaps seeking counseling. Eating a healthy diet is another way to confirm that you care about your own well-being.