Stress can be good for you in small doses. However, in our busy modern lifestyle full of deadlines, lockdowns, and financial strain, the constant flight/fight reaction can be detrimental to our health. Stress is one of the body’s protective mechanisms inbuilt to keep you energetic and alert in the case of an emergency.
Our nervous system contributes to the fight/flight response. It signals to the adrenal glands to release hormones which increase our heart and respiration rate, dilate blood vessels in our arms and legs, and change our digestive process so that we have more available sugar in our bloodstream for energy.
Chronic stress can result in long-term drain on the body. As our nervous system continues to trigger physical reactions, it causes wear and tear on the body. It is the continuous activation of the nervous system that can become detrimental to our health.