VIDEO: The Impacts of Stress on our Physiology

So what actually occurs physiologically when the nervous system perceives danger.

The stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol are released into the system creating the following  internal changes:

·       Increased blood pressure

·       Elevated heart rate

·       Shallow breathing

This is helpful and appropriate if we really are in danger, as the body is prepared to fight against or flee from the threat, flooding the muscles with blood so they are primed to act.

However with chronic stress, the stress hormones are being released continuously, creating the same changes in the body on an ongoing basis.

The body never gets to rest, remaining in a state of hyperarousal or hypervigilance instead. Over time, the effects on us emotionally, physically and mentally are draining.



We are not meant to remain in a constant state of stress. Throughout our day it is good to have peaks of eustress - the good stress, with the preferred state being that of rest and digest.