How is stress affecting you?

Are you constantly in fight or flight mode? What is stress anyway?

In short, stress is our body's natural response to danger. It is an essential component for survival when faced with real life threats. Biologically speaking, stress activates our nervous system and peripheral tissues like the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands.

"The hypothalamus releases a compound called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that drives your hormonal response to stress. Once CRH is released, it travels to the pituitary gland, causing it to secrete a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that cues the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones, especially cortisol." - Kim Erickson

Having an activated stress system isn't helpful. When stressed you are more likely to react instead of respond to co-workers, it's difficult to come up with innovative ideas and you're more likely to get sick.

While cortisol is an essential hormone for stress response, if left unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your body. It is essential that you return to your baseline, meaning that you do not remain in fight or flight mode. Rather enter into homeostasis so that you body can heal and you can return to yourself again.