Understanding how we naturally respond to stress

When we are in a stressful situation or perceive threat in our environment, our biochemistry changes, affecting our body and brain. One of the main hormones that responds to stress as an immediate automatic reaction is cortisol. Thus, cortisol is referred to as the ‘stress hormone’, although it is also an activity hormone.

Cortisol’s function is not only to modulate our stress response but is very important for optimal functioning of our metabolism, immunity and cognition. It gets released in spurts throughout the day in response to our circadian rhythm, with its peak in the morning to help us prepare to move through the day. In the evening and early part of the night, only minimal levels are produced to allow us to slowdown and prepare for sleep.

Our bodies are designed to handle acute stress

Acute stress is short-lived. It is an event that temporarily unsettles us or we are in a situation where we don’t feel safe or comfortable, such as having to deal with work issues or an exam or public speaking nerves. When we experience acute stress, cortisol gets released more frequently and in greater amounts than our normal rhythm determines, so that we have more energy to deal with (or escape) the situation. Thus, during acute stress, cortisol is helpful and our body is designed to handle such stress extremely well.

The HPA axis: Our natural stress manager

Release of cortisol is a natural part of our neuroendocrine system where our hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland - known as HPA axis – work in unison to activate its production, and then switched off once the threat passes. This is called a negative feedback loop, stopping the release of cortisol once the threat (real or perceived) subsides.

This naturally designed complex regulatory system ensures that the cortisol levels in the body are kept at bay, because cortisol in great amounts can be harmful to the body.

Chronic stress creates HPA axis dysfunction

Chronic stress is sustained stress caused by a wide variety of reasons such as ongoing threats or bullying, physical or emotional trauma, work related or financial pressures, relationships disharmony, not getting enough sleep, chronic infections, chronic inflammation, emotional turmoil - worry, grief, frustration, anger and more.

When cortisol levels remain constantly elevated, it can result in increased resistance of immune cells to cortisol (cortisol resistance). This means, the cell receptors are not being activated and the stress reaction does not get switched off.

When naturally designed stress response loop is broken due to cortisol resistance, this disrupts the body's equilibrium, impacting the autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance and disrupting the feedback loop of the HPA axis.

Symptoms of HPA axis dysfunction

We function via a two-way communication system with constant feedback between the HPA axis and our immune system, which also helps to regulate our digestion, moods and emotions.

An HPA axis dysfunction caused by chronic stress can therefore lead to symptoms such as anxiety, feeling tired yet wired and having a hard time dealing with day-to-day stresses. We are also likely to get sick more often, experience cravings for sugary/salty foods, overwhelm, fatigue and exhaustion, depression and many more.

HPA axis imbalance can also result in many age-related diseases such as muscle loss, immune system dysfunction, dementia, type 2 diabetes etc.

Nutshell: We can re-balance the HPA axis to better regulate stress response

The imbalances in the body caused by chronic stress can be regulated and eventually healed - naturally. We can also effectively lessen our reactivity to day-to-day stresses and enjoy a balanced life.

Practical lifestyle factors can have a major positive impact on effective stress management to get us back to balance, we just need to know how. For example, our adrenal glands function in harmony with our circadian rhythm, and require certain types of stimuli at certain times of the day; such as first thing in the morning, we need sunlight exposure for our adrenals to function optimally, and at night, so we can sleep easier and repair, we need to suppress the production of cortisol by reducing exposure to bright light.

There are many more simple, proven and effective natural tools we share with you in this program, that will enable you to support your inner environment, strengthen your body overall, and improve your stress response.