Did you know that our body does not discriminate between sources of stress – it simply responds to the stress So, whether the stress is coming from an actual event – like a car nearly hitting you — or simply a thought – I wonder if I will get hit by a car someday – the body may react in a similar way. Now, in these times when there is so much uncertainty, stress can have a huge impact on our bodies.
In a nutshell, it is for our own survival. You see, we are geared towards survival and our minds are constantly on a threat alert. Some have called this the “fight or flight” response. I think we all know how it feels – the sudden increase in heart rate, perhaps increased respirations, all meant to prepare the body with oxygen needed to suddenly move into action. Underlying this is a shower of hormones that stimulate the body’s actions but also have impacts on other aspects of our health.