Our brain triggers stress response based on the threats. It
is an automation triggered by the emotion. It is carried out by the ANS
(autonomous nervous system) and the response is completely involuntary. It is
an activation of the sympathetic nervous system to provide the right source of
energy and prepares the body to face the threats. Once out of threat, the
parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and the energy level is pulled back to
normal state.
Certain hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and noradrenaline
are secreted with the triggers and sympathetic nervous system activation. These
hormones initiate certain physiological changes notably increased blood flow,
increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased breathing, dilation
of pupil and relaxation of the bladder.
All the physiological changes prepare the body to provide
the additional energy to face the threats. But, these are temporary and stay as
long as the threat is present. Once out of threat, the parasympathetic nervous
system kicks in which withdraws the hormones secretions and bring the
physiological changes to normalcy. These, in turn, bring the body back to the
normal state.
The response is a cycle of turning on the sympathetic
nervous system, bring up the energy level, turning on the parasympathetic
nervous system and bring down the energy level to normalcy. This is a temporary
process and stays only in the presence of the threat.
Stress is a cyclic pattern of turning on/off the sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous systems.
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