Imagine living thousands of years ago. You’re in a forest gathering firewood. Suddenly, you hear the grunting of a pig and at that moment you step on a branch, making a large cracking sound. A second later, you look up to see a wild boar crashing through the brush toward you. This is when your fight-or-flight response kicks in and without thinking, you run for all you’re worth.
Happily, it’s rare for most of us to face life-threatening situations; however, when we are suddenly faced with something intensely frightening or stressful, our bodies respond as though we are in that forest. Hormones including adrenaline and cortisol release automatically, speeding our heart rate, breathing and blood pressure; slowing digestion; redirecting blood to major muscle groups, and releasing glucose to give us a surge of energy and strength. This response, also called the acute stress response, has kept humans alive throughout the centuries.
If our acute stress response only occurred during life-threatening situations, it would be a wonderful adaptation. Unfortunately, when we get anxious for any reason whether it is about giving a presentation, getting into an argument, or asking someone out on a date, our autonomic response reacts as if we were in mortal danger. All these situations trigger that acute stress response—causing many people to go through life in a state of chronic stress.
Click here to read the full article written by Gwen Mathews: Ukiah Daily Journal
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