The Science behind the Fight or Flight Response
Author: Armeen Mann
We’ve all been there—a rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, and a sudden surge of anxiety when faced with something stressful. “Fight or flight” is the body’s response to stressful situations, a response that is both instinctive and protective, especially in threatening situations. But what is actually happening inside our bodies during these times, and how does it leave an impact on our health?
It all starts off in the brain. The amygdala, which takes care of emotions, sends signals to the hypothalamus, the chief in command of the body when it perceives the possibility of danger. As a result, the sympathetic nervous system comes into action, bringing about the adrenal glands to excrete adrenaline and cortisol—our primary stress hormones.
Adrenaline is what accounts for the burst of energy. It speeds up your heart, increases blood flow to the muscles, and allows more oxygen into the system by bringing in more. At the same time, cortisol has a role in maintaining high energy levels, as it discharges glucose from the liver, but it stops some functions such as digestion or the immune system.
The real problem arises when the stress for longer than it should. An overactive “fight or flight” system results in several health problems. Continuously high levels of cortisol can increase blood pressure, lead to obesity (most of the time around the belly), disturb your sleeping patterns, and make you more susceptible to colds. It is the gateway of your brain to anxiety, depression, and concentration issues as well. Muscle tension is a common problem too; stress keeps muscles in a state of contraction which promotes the occurrence of headaches, back pain, or jaw pain.
Working out, meditation, or just spending some time to calm your nerves can help destress. Stress is a part of our lives, but understanding how it works makes dealing with it less stressful.
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