Stress Response

In today's ever-changing world, people are increasingly susceptible to a wide range of stressors. The human body has evolved to respond to threatening or challenging situations by arousing the body’s physiological responses, commonly referred to as the ‘stress response’. The stress response is also known as the fight-or-flight response, and it is initiated by the hypothalamus in the brain. This response activates the sympathetic nervous system, which initiates a number of physiological changes in the body, such as increased heart rate and respiration. Trauma, accidents, and sudden changes in a person's environment can all result in a strong stress response. In these scenarios, the body's natural response is to prepare for the potential danger, which is why people feel the urge to "run away." Physiology-wise, this results in an increase in heart rate and respiration, as well as the release of a number of stress hormones. The main hormones released during the stress response include cortisol, which increases blood flow to the muscles, and adrenaline, which causes the pupils to dilate. The human body is remarkably adaptive and can learn to manage the stress response, even when the source of the stressor is chronic or long-term. Through the process of habituation, the body learns to cope with the source of the stress by diminising the reaction to it over time. In addition, there are different strategies such as relaxational and cognitive-behavioral techniques that people can use to help reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of the stress response. While it may be difficult to control or prevent the stress response, it is important to recognize the role it plays in our lives. By learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of the stress response and responding to it appropriately, we can help to reduce the negative impact it can have on our health and wellbeing.