Stress can trigger our fight-or-flight response. This reflex is an inheritance from our ancient ancestors: when they perceived a threat in the wild, adrenaline, and cortisol were pumped into the bloodstream, increasing the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, and their muscles tensed to respond to danger. Meanwhile, "non-essential" functions like digestion were slowed down. We still experience this reaction today and sometimes it can be helpful-- for instance, by helping us deal with critical or dangerous situations. But if you find those symptoms-- rapid heartbeat, shallow, rapid breathing, and tense muscles-- triggered too frequently, by day-to-day events, it can be physically and emotionally draining, and this is when health problems may arise. Learn to sense when your body is entering fight-or-flight mode. Once you recognize the signs, use them as a signal to counteract your fight-or-flight response with some of the methods outlined in our sessions at Beginning With You.
For more information, or to learn some excellent coping skills, book your next session by visiting:
www.beginningwithyou.org to learn how to manage your stress best.