What is stress?

Stress is a physiological reaction by the body in response to a real or perceived threat.

Being in a state of stress is also known as being in the sympathetic nervous system state, commonly known as ‘fight or flight’. Our body pumps out cortisol & adrenaline, heart rate increases, blood is diverted to our limbs, our pupils dilate, & we prepare for battle.

The other, much preferred option is known as the parasympathetic nervous system state, ‘rest, digest, & reproduce’. Our muscles relax, blood heads toward our abdomen to digest our food, breath slows down, and our heart rate decreases. In this state we digest our food, create important hormones & neurotransmitters, & feel calm…