Understanding Stress

Stress is a normal part of life. If we are in a threatening situation, we respond with the Fight or Flight Syndrome, which is an instinctive reaction to danger.

All animals respond automatically when they feel under threat.  However, sometimes this response is triggered by a situation that is stressful, but not life-threatening. It can be set off by feelings, ideas, memories and expectations, and for many people stress can become a normal reaction to many life situations.  

• The heartbeat increases to pump blood with greater speed
• As the heartbeat increases the blood pressure rises
• Adrenaline and other hormones are released into the blood
• The liver releases stored sugar for more energy
• The pupils dilate to let in more light
• All the senses work more efficiently
• Muscles tense for movement
• Blood flow is constricted to the hands and feet and they become cold
• The body sweats to cool itself
In a situation which is not life-threatening, these physical changes may be experienced as extremely unpleasant, causing palpitations, pain in the muscles resulting from excessive tension, insomnia, breathlessness, numbness, tingling, dizziness, sickness, fainting, headaches, indigestion, diarrhea, fatigue, chest pains, blurred vision, nausea and shaking, to name but a few possible symptoms.