Becoming Resilient to Stress
As long as humans have been around - there has been stress. In earlier days, it was all about survival. Hunting for food and warding off danger to protect families from the wild. It was important we were able to respond in the face of danger to continue human existence. When danger lurked, their adrenalin flowed, hormones raged, and they were in a state of high physical arousal. This reaction is called the FIGHT or FLIGHT syndrome.
Throughout history, people have reacted to danger by going into “high gear” physically, to be safe. We are programmed to react this way so we could continue to exist as a species. We now are buffered and protected. We’ve evolved as humans. We live in a sophisticated world. Our bodies haven’t really evolved in a reasonable manner. In terms of practicality and health, we’d be better off if our systems had evolved. We still need the fight or flight, just not so much or so often. Stress reactions save you many times.
The biochemical reactions wreak havoc when the body over-reacts to demands made on it or is constantly under attack because of our reactions to our environment, or our social conditioning. You will experience certain acute physical symptoms when you are presented with things that trigger a state of excitement or fear. Your body goes into the “high gear mode” and stays in high gear mode. This is where the trouble begins. What is the answer? Learn to manage the environment in which we live, and our response to social conditioning. Not as simple as it sounds… but it can make a big difference! Here are some ideas…
Here are some ways in which you can learn to manage your stress:
1. Learn better time management principles. Creating a schedule is a way to ensure you get the things done that require your immediate attention.
2. Find the source of stress and either eliminate it, or learn coping strategies to help you deal with it.
3. Practice healthy lifestyle behaviors: Eating a well-balanced diet can have a major influence on how you respond to stressful situations. Keeping your blood glucose levels balanced can help you to not lose your cool!
4. Sleep on it! Yes, one way to eliminate stress is to get plenty of rest, meaning a full 7-8 hours of peaceful sleep. Waking up rested helps you to keep things in perspective mentally; and sleep is also the time your body repairs itself from the stress you encountered the day prior. Lacking sleep will add to your stress.
5. Build connections: We are meant to be social beings. We thrive on an emotional level when we feel connected to others. Even if you don’t feel like you want to engage, connections can help by providing an avenue to 1) vent frustrations, 2) assist in problem solving, and 3) provide support.
As long as humans have been around - there has been stress. In earlier days, it was all about survival. Hunting for food and warding off danger to protect families from the wild. It was important we were able to respond in the face of danger to continue human existence. When danger lurked, their adrenalin flowed, hormones raged, and they were in a state of high physical arousal. This reaction is called the FIGHT or FLIGHT syndrome.
Throughout history, people have reacted to danger by going into “high gear” physically, to be safe. We are programmed to react this way so we could continue to exist as a species. We now are buffered and protected. We’ve evolved as humans. We live in a sophisticated world. Our bodies haven’t really evolved in a reasonable manner. In terms of practicality and health, we’d be better off if our systems had evolved. We still need the fight or flight, just not so much or so often. Stress reactions save you many times.
The biochemical reactions wreak havoc when the body over-reacts to demands made on it or is constantly under attack because of our reactions to our environment, or our social conditioning. You will experience certain acute physical symptoms when you are presented with things that trigger a state of excitement or fear. Your body goes into the “high gear mode” and stays in high gear mode. This is where the trouble begins. What is the answer? Learn to manage the environment in which we live, and our response to social conditioning. Not as simple as it sounds… but it can make a big difference! Here are some ideas…
Here are some ways in which you can learn to manage your stress:
1. Learn better time management principles. Creating a schedule is a way to ensure you get the things done that require your immediate attention.
2. Find the source of stress and either eliminate it, or learn coping strategies to help you deal with it.
3. Practice healthy lifestyle behaviors: Eating a well-balanced diet can have a major influence on how you respond to stressful situations. Keeping your blood glucose levels balanced can help you to not lose your cool!
4. Sleep on it! Yes, one way to eliminate stress is to get plenty of rest, meaning a full 7-8 hours of peaceful sleep. Waking up rested helps you to keep things in perspective mentally; and sleep is also the time your body repairs itself from the stress you encountered the day prior. Lacking sleep will add to your stress.
5. Build connections: We are meant to be social beings. We thrive on an emotional level when we feel connected to others. Even if you don’t feel like you want to engage, connections can help by providing an avenue to 1) vent frustrations, 2) assist in problem solving, and 3) provide support.
