Optimal Health Program
The Science Behind Stress: What Happens in Your Body
Activation of the Stress Response
When the stress response is activated, the following happens:
- Amygdala Activation: Upon perceiving the stressor, the amygdala quickly evaluates the emotional significance of the stimulus and determines whether it poses a threat. If it does, the amygdala signals the hypothalamus to initiate the stress response.
- Hypothalamic Response: Upon receiving signals from the amygdala, the hypothalamus orchestrates the body's response to stress. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin, which act on the pituitary gland.
- Pituitary Gland Activation: In response to CRH and vasopressin, the pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream.
- Adrenal Gland Response: ACTH travels through the bloodstream and reaches the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands respond to ACTH by releasing stress hormones, primarily cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Mobilisation of Energy and Physical Changes
With cortisol and adrenaline coursing through the veins, the body gears up for action. Cortisol prompts the liver to rlease glucose (sugar) and lipids (fats) into the bloodstream, while adrenaline fuels your muscles and brain. This dynamic duo causes a cascade of physical changes throughout the body, priming your mind and body for action:
- Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: The heart rate increases and blood pressure rises to pump blood more efficiently, supplying oxygen and nutrients to muscles and organs, enhancing readiness for action.
- Feeling shaky and tense: Muscles tense up in anticipation of action, preparing to respond to the perceived danger.
- Sweating: The body may start to sweat as a result of increased arousal and heightened metabolic activity.
- Blood Redistribution: Blood is redirected from less critical organs such as the skin and digestive system to more essential organs like the brain and muscles. This redistribution ensures that vital organs receive adequate oxygen and nutrients to support increased activity and alertness.
- Rapid Breathing: Breathing rate accelerates to intake more oxygen from the atmosphere, fuelling the body's heightened metabolic demands.
- Suppression of Non-Essential Functions: The body suppresses non-essential functions such as digestion, growth and reproduction. Simultaneously, the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and planning) is inhibited to facilitate faster more instinctive reactions.
As a consequence of this remarkable stress response, when confronted with the threat of a potential car accident, the driver experiences a surge of alertness and attentiveness, becoming physiologically prepared to react to the impending hazard. This may involve evasive manoeuvres such as swerving away from the collision, applying sudden brakes, or accelerating to swiftly evade harm's way.
The Domino Effect of Chronic Stress
While the stress response is an adaptive survival mechanism in the short term, chronic activation can have detrimental effects on your health and well-being. Over time, chronic stress erodes resilience and coping mechanisms, heightening vulnerability to the adverse effects of stress, including:
- Cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
- Metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance.
- Gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and ulcers.
- Mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, and burnout.
- Cognitive impairments such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog.
- Digestive issues, decreased libido, or disruptions in menstrual cycles.
- Irritability, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating.
- Weakening immune defences and increasing susceptibility to infections, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.
In Closing
In summary, stress is not merely a psychological phenomenon—it's a complex interplay of biochemical reactions that impact every system in your body. By understanding how stress manifests in the body, we can better appreciate the importance of effective stress management strategies in safeguarding our health and well-being.
If you're struggling to cope with stress, remember that you're not alone.
Contact Clarity Health Care here for guidance on booking an appointment with one of our mental health clinicians.
Written by Aimee Oliveri (Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Content Creator) in Collaboration with Clarity Health Care
Introduction
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, stress has become an almost inevitable companion. But have you ever wondered what happens in your body when you're stressed? Understanding the physiological responses to stress can shed light on why it's so important to manage stress effectively. In this blog post, we'll delve into the intricate mechanisms that occur within your body when stress takes hold.
The Physiology of Stress
Stress begins with the perception of a stressor, which could be anything perceived as a threat or challenge. When you encounter a stressor, whether it's a looming deadline, a heated argument, or a near-miss on the road, your body kicks into high gear, initiating a cascade of physiological responses designed to help you cope with the perceived threat. This response is orchestrated by the sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the body's "fight or flight" system.
Picture this: a driver faces a near collision, setting off the stress response.
