The human stress response is an evolutionary adaptation that has helped humans cope with crises. It occurs in response to danger in any form—
In the face of a perceived threat, the sympathetic nervous system floods the body with stress hormones, primarily cortisol, and adrenaline, and initiates a complex “fight-or-flight response.”
These Fight or flight changes are meant to support us in navigating and surviving the crisis.
Truth be told, the system serves us beautifully, when followed by a period of rest, recovery, and recuperation,
WHICH IS WHERE WE FAIL OURSELVES!
Excess stress can also impact our mental and emotional states. Because our physical body affects our emotions, and our emotions affect our physical body.
Stress tends to wear us down on a systemic level.
The bottom line is this, if you know that you’re stressed (even occasionally), there is a good chance that making some supportive adjustments could benefit you immensely.
Learning to manage your stress response takes practice.
In each of these 12 installment series, I will talk about some tools and techniques to help get you started.
#2 FOLLOW A DAILY ROUTINE
Nothing creates more stress on our nervous system than an erratic routine. Our physiology is very much supported by some sense of regularity. This should include the organization of your environment. We all know someone who is always looking for their keys and how much that can affect them.
It is amazing how impactful a few adjustments to our routines can be.
Begin with going to bed, eating your meals, and waking up around the same time every day. Yes, that includes nonworking days.
Think about the natural world and how prevalent routines are; most plants and animals are attuned to the cycles of day and night, the seasons. By contrast, human experience seems increasingly disconnected from these natural rhythms.
Creating pre-bedtime habits is very important and can be a good place to start. It helps our bodies to recognize that it is time to power down. Maybe you read before bed, have a cup of herbal tea, or meditate. Find what works for you and prioritize it.
Adopting even a modest sense of routine gives our nervous systems comforting and reassuring reference points throughout each day. These touchstones send a resounding message to the deep tissues of the body that all is well.
Over time, a context of predictability and safety allows the nervous system to relax, and a rejuvenation process can begin and help us to identify and address true urgencies.
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