Mind-Body Practices

When stress kicks in, how does the body respond?
This question helps us to understand how the body responds when it experiences stress.
When the body is stressed, it responds by activating the signal molecules known as hormones to help it cope and manage the effects of stress for the duration it lasts. These hormones are the natural defense mechanism that fights threats and dangers to the body’s wellbeing resulting from intense and sustained pressure and negative life situations.

Let’s get to know the two major hormones against stress
There are two major hormones the body activates to fight stress; cortisol and catecholamines.
Hormones deliver aids to the body system in order to fight threats.

What do these hormones do?
Cortisol is not just dedicated to stress. As a primary hormone, cortisol helps in the following:
• metabolism
• inflammatory responses
• immune functioning.

Catecholamines are made up of a group of hormones working together to produce chemicals such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These chemicals help with
• heart rate and blood pressure regulation
• blood sugar regulation
• metabolism
• mood regulation
• the sleep-wake cycle.

Stress hormones are signalling molecules (messengers so to speak) that swings into action in response to stress moments. When a stressor poses threat to a person’s well-being, the body produces these hormones to help it in ways that allows a person to manage the threat. For example, they may increase heart rate and oxygen delivery to the muscles, helping a person cope with the danger until it escapes it.

What happens when stress hormones level is high in the body?
The longer stress stays with the body (chronic stress) the more stress hormones are produced to cope with it. As good as this sounds, this is dangerous. Stress hormones shouldn’t stay active longer than necessary in the body. When it does, rather than help, they cause health issues.

“Elevated stress hormone levels can disrupt almost all the body’s functions. This can lead to certain physical and mental health issues.
According to the APA, chronic stress increases the risk of the following health problems:
• anxiety
• depression
• impairments in memory and concentration
• sleep problems
• headaches
• muscle tension and pain
• digestive issues

• weight gain
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• heart attack
• stroke
• suppressed immune function” – Medical News Today

How can stress hormones be managed?
Chronic stress is the cause of elevated stress hormones. To manage this, all technics for stress management must be engaged.
• Regular exercise
• Eating healthy
• Taking a break from social media and from news that can cause mood change
• Practicing yoga
• Deep breathing exercise
• Sleeping and resting well
• Talk therapy
• Go out and socialize
• Listen to your liked music and dance
• Etc

In conclusion
However way you look at it, chronic stress disrupts the normal functioning of the body system, creating health issues that jeopardizes happy living. Therefore, it is advised you avoid boredom, loneliness, anxiety moments, unnecessary worries among other things.

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Note: This write-up is for information purposes only

References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stress-hormones
Stress and hormones: PMC
How stress affects your health -APA

Stress can hit us anytime—during a heated meeting, stuck in traffic, or when your to-do list feels endless. While we can’t always control what happens around us, we can control how our body responds. One of the simplest, most powerful tools is right under our nose: breathing.

Breathing isn’t just about survival—it’s a built-in stress management system. When stress strikes, our breathing often becomes shallow and rapid, fuelling anxiety and tension. But by practicing intentional breathing exercises, you can activate your body’s relaxation response, lower cortisol levels, and find calm in just a few minutes.

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