Stress is a common daily occurrence that happens to everyone. It does not matter how resilient one is. What’s more, stress comes in different forms and can affect anyone. In most cases, stress is considered a negative feeling when in reality; it can be an important adaptive response that is important for survival. However, stress becomes a problem when it is in excess and not properly managed. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to manage stress considering that the triggers are different and range from environmental to hormonal factors. Some of these causes are beyond our control. However, hormones are meant to help people manage stress naturally.
Stress Hormones and Why They Matter
Different hormones work together to ensure that your body is not overwhelmed by stress. Usually, stress happens when the body is constantly exposed to anything that your body interprets as a threat.
Consider an example where you are threatened to understand better how hormones and stress relate. For example, you could be out and about and suddenly see a snake. Without even thinking about your response, you will move far away from the snake as a safety precaution.
This happens because your body suddenly gets a flood of adrenaline, cortisol, and other relevant stress hormones that push you to respond the way you do as a safety measure. It is only because your body perceives the threat that the relevant hormones to help you deal with the threat are released, forcing you to act.
Hormones play a crucial role in ensuring your safety in this manner. The important thing is to ensure that all hormones are balanced since an excess or very low amount of the hormones can cause a negative impact. There are different ways to ensure that your body is in the right state of balance.
Common Stress Hormones
The body relies on several stress hormones to stay healthy and safe. You need to understand the hormones that may be imbalanced if you want to restore balance to your body.
Cortisol: This is the most common stress hormone and probably what people think about when they think about stress. It is produced when the body senses a need for an emergency and is often produced to help the body’s pressure levels, fluids, and digestion. Unfortunately, it can also be hindering since it may slow down the brain’s function when overproduced, especially when no danger lurks. It may also cause other hormones to become imbalanced.
Adrenaline/ Epinephrine: You may be used to the adrenaline rush but never think of it as a stress response. The hormone triggers flight response when in danger. However, overreliance on the adrenaline rush can cause an imbalance and may cause a surge in heart rate, excess energy, and increased respiration rates.
Serotonin: This is the third stress hormone that helps manage anxiety and depression. It is important for people who are struggling with mental illness/ disorders.
Now that you understand the importance of hormones, it is necessary to ensure that they are properly balanced for the boy to function properly. Below are a few tips that can help.
1. Exercise
A bit of moderate physical exercise works like magic. Physical exercise can boost your mood and help with the feel-good hormones. It will also help pump endorphins which are the feel-good neurotransmitters.
2. Meditate
Take some time off to be in tune with your feelings and emotions. Meditation can help you focus on the right thoughts and eliminate all the jumbled thoughts. It can also help you reduce all the crowding thoughts.
3. Pray
Take time to pray and focus on what you believe in. You can improve your health by constantly channeling your energy and thoughts to something higher than yourself. Sometimes you have to let go of your worries and stressors to someone or something you consider mightier than you. This gives a sense of comfort.
4. Ask for Help
It is always a good idea to ask for help. Getting professional help has always yielded results. Mental health professionals can help you deal with stress. They will also advise on the measures necessary to improve your stress triggers.
5. Practice Yoga
Yoga is relaxing and can help you channel your thoughts correctly. In addition, Yoga helps with stress reduction and anxiety management. With continuous yoga practice, you can easily deal with stress.
6. Practice Love and Kindness
Your attitude matters when dealing with stress. Try to be more positive and grateful. Make sure you are optimistic at all times. The good emotions that come with being kind and happy can improve your stress levels.
7. Stay away from stressful situations
Avoid stress at all costs. Once you understand the stressors that spike your hormonal imbalance, avoid them. In addition, be careful about the environment you expose yourself to.
In the end, stress management requires a deliberate effort from those affected. However, the process does not have to be complicated or expensive. You could even get medication and supplements to boost your hormonal imbalance.
“The body relies on several stress hormones to stay healthy and safe. You need to understand the hormones that may be imbalanced if you want to restore balance to your body.
Stenzel Clinical Services
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