Stress is the body’s reaction to a situation or stimulus that causes us severe anxiety or fear. In the past, as a result of evolution, we developed defense mechanisms that resulted in a certain behavior of our body exposed to stress. This response allowed us to survive in extreme conditions and react quickly to changing environments and sudden threats. When we are under stress, hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine are secreted into our blood, as a result of their action the heart rate accelerates, breathing becomes very fast and shallow, pupils dilate. The heart pumps more oxygen to the muscles along with the blood, preparing us to react quickly and act immediately. It’s as if our entire body wants to be ready to fight or flee in an instant. In the past, this mechanism allowed our ancestors to survive in extreme conditions. Today, too, when we need to act instinctively in an emergency situation, this process kicks in and can save our life or health. Sometimes, when faced with a stressful situation, we find it easier to mobilize ourselves to act. Some people look specifically for “strong sensations” to feel the adrenaline, to release the emotions we experience in extreme conditions. If stressful situations occur infrequently our body copes with it. However, in the current civilized world we are overloaded with information, stress often takes the form of a continuous threat, more related to the mental than physical sphere. This form of stress accompanying us for a long time, does not allow us to function normally. After a while it can cause weakness and even exhaustion. It happens that such a state of exposure to stress lasts longer, not a day, a week, but even weeks, months. Our body is completely unprepared for this. Such prolonged stress is very harmful to us.

The action of adrenaline and norepinephrine during stress increases cortisol, which also raises blood glucose levels.When we operate under intense pressure for a long time under conditions that expose us to severe stress in our body secretes cortisol in higher concentrations , which is a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. It has a very significant effect on the human body. It affects carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and water and electrolyte metabolism (it retains salt in the body, and increases potassium excretion). It also exhibits anti-inflammatory (relieves inflammation and allergies) and immunosuppressive (weakens the immune system) effects. It also raises blood pressure, increases gastric juice secretion and causes calcium release from bones. Cortisol levels remain at higher concentrations in the morning and stabilize during the day. However, in people who are exposed to stress for long periods of time, high levels of cortisol in the body can persist around the clock. When cortisol levels in our bodies remain too high for an extended period of time, negative consequences can occur for us:

  • Blood glucose levels are rising,
  • blood pressure increases, which can lead to heart overload,
  • The body’s immunity is declining,
  • there is a weakening of the connective tissue in the skin, signs of aging appear faster.
    This is why we colloquially say that stress harms beauty,
  • There may be a problem with weight gain,
  • sleep problems,
  • Reducing protein absorption,
  • Weakening of muscle strength,
  • we become even more susceptible to stress

And the circle is closing.

Cortisol itself is an extremely important hormone for us.
Our body will always produce it.
However, its high levels should not persist for long periods of time.
Chronic stress, caused by problems at work, in life in general, insufficient sleep, can lead to persistently high levels of this hormone in the body.
Could this state of affairs be dangerous for us?
Oh yes.
I myself know from my experience among those closest to me how prolonged stress can have a devastating effect on the body.
So can we deal with it?
Of course, there are many natural ways to deal with stress, but about that in the next post.