How do you define stress?
Stress is how we react when we feel threatened or under pressure. It typically happens in situations where we don't feel we can manage or control. Stress makes us believe that everything and everyone requires our immediate attention; it’s all a state of emergency. No matter the type of stressor, the body’s natural response is the same, whether the stressor is real or not. Consider stress like small self-attack doses of harmful biochemical reactions.
Stress response
Our body defaults naturally into the flight, fight or freeze response when we feel under attacked. On Flight mode, we feel the urge to leave the scene. On Fight mode, our response is to counter act the attacker. On Freeze mode, our response literally get us immobilized as a mechanism to protect ourselves.
Body imbalance in the presence of a stressor
In the presence of stressful stimuli. The amygdala sets off an alarm that something is wrong and requires immediate attention. This signals the hypothalamus, which turns on the nervous system protecting you. Parallel reactions to stress responses are:
The master or pituitary gland releases extra cortisol.
Blood pressure, including glucose, increases.
Fat tissue can enter the bloodstream to prepare you to “run”.
Extra energy is sent to your lower limbs in order to respond to the threat.
Appetite can diminish or increase.
Too often, these reactions can set off serious, permanent physical damage, causing disturbed circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, including causing memory or brain fog. In addition, excess stress also accelerates the aging process.
It is important for us to have choices that help us auto-regulate our stress levels with a healthy and mindful approach that give us alternatives to respond.
Some of the antidotes to stress are:
Nourisment,
Movement
Tranquility Time
Positive Vibes
Stay tuned for the weekly blog with more tips to support and nourish ourselves for a demanding upcoming season.
"we cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them" .-Epictetus
Monica is a wife and mother of two teenagers. Passionate founder of Zazen Meditation & Self-care Studio. She is a firm believer in the physical and spiritual healing of meditation. Monica shares her passion by empowering individuals in her community, facilitating workshops in Mindfulness, Holistic self-care and Emotional regulation. Under the umbrella of Mindfulness practices, Ayurveda Care, Yoga Therapy and Breath Work, Monica supports her clients by offering guidance in their healing journey.
Trained in Akhanda- Hatha classical yoga , Ayurveda and Yoga Therapist, Restorative Yoga for emotional balance, Healing meditation, Mantra and Mindfulness based stress reduction. Monica is also a strong advocate for mental health in her community to break the stigma. Extensively collaborates with the non-profit organization, Youth Mental Health Canada.
To contact Her Email: zazen@zazenstudio.com
To learn more visit Us @ www.zazentstudio.com
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