Stress and the body’s response to it are not always a bad thing; the fight or flight response was evolutionary designed to protect creatures from predators or dangerous situations. The issue arises when our bodies are in constant state of stress, with cortisol and adrenaline levels remaining elevated for extended periods of time. The consistent flood of these hormones will begin to cause issues with digestion, sleeping, the immune system, and more.
During chronic stress or episodic acute stress, the body is not functioning at equilibrium but rather overexerting itself in some ways and being underactive in others. The cardiac system is working overtime to prepare for flight or fight while digestion slows down, throwing your body out of homeostasis and preventing normal processes from taking place. Since the immune system is compromised, stress can contribute to illness and extended recovery times once sick. Chronic and episodic acute stress are linked with chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Brain health is just as important as proper physical activity for risk reduction!
