The Biology of Stress

    When Scientist  study stress  they always differentiate between acute,         or short term with a beginning or end, chronic or long term. For instance constantly struggling  to make ends meet  versus  simply  being late  for a meeting or  as serious as  getting into a car accident.  This  flight  or fight response starts in the nervous system… which tries to help you  find that happy place your looking  for to overcome!!!

      The  central  nervous  system  (CNS)  responds  to  orders  from  the conscious mind,  while the autonomic nervous system  (ANS)   functions independently.  There  are  two  branches  within  the  ANS: sympathetic nervous system  (SNS)  and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Therefore the (SNS) revs you up as the (PNS) calms you down. Let’s say,  that your lost in traffic  ~  so your heart pumps you up  as you get extra excited about the circumstances.

     In milliseconds,  the hypothalamus  in the brain  sends a message to         the adrenal glands  near your kidney,  as the adrenaline increases your heartbeat to twice it’s normal speed.  As your  memory gets sharper, the immune system  goes  on  full alert,  arteries narrow,  pupils  dilate  and  your vision becomes more acute, the digestive  system  slows  down  and insulin ramps up design to help your  fight and  flight the event.

     However,  chronic stress  is  much  more dangerous  with your career           in jeopardy,  marriage  on  shaky  ground,  bank  account  dwindling  it’s some rough patch,  as your aging parents  need care  and  it hits your all  once…. that’s chronic stress.  The problem is your body still reacts as the stress were acute stress ~ with only one important distinction there is no calming down period.

    The  (SNS)  that  keeps  you  in  heightened physiological  arousal  has       you feeling threatened all the time, everyday.  The more your body stress response  is activated,  the  harder  it  is  to switch off.  With  that  being  a major concern given anywhere  from 60 to 90 percent of  illness is stress – related.  This is how the stress…. to health connection works:  the adrenal gland secretes cortisol…. during stress – cortisol regulates blood pressure, cardiovascular  function  and metabolism.

   Therefore, elevated cortisol over — time weakens your immune system, puts your heart in over drive and raises blood pressure. Consistently high levels of  circulating stress hormones  can  adversely effect brain  function  as  well  as  memory.   Not only, can excessive cortisol interfere with your  ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters,  such as dopamine  and  serotonin,  making you more vulnerable to depression, but also, inflammation is our immune system’s response to stress,  injury  or  illness  (leading to cancer).

   My  Sister’s  Question:  what’s the best method which to relieve stress?    Acupuncture  has been shown  to reduce levels of  protein neuropeptide Y.  According  to  a  study with rats by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.  This  study  may  help  explain  the  sense  of  well  –  being people say they receive  from this ancient Chinese therapy.

   It has long been thought acupuncture can reduce stress, says the lead    author, Ladan  Eshkevari;  an assistant professor at Georgetown School     of  Nursing  &  Health Studies. Ladan conducted the study because many patients she treats with acupuncture,  reports  a  better  overall  sense of  well – being and  often remark they  feel less stress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtkhgyzxL68

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-QYwC5pWs

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