Fight or Flight? Understanding Stress Response

The stress response is a sympathetic response in times of acute emergency. Generally, it is known as a "fight-or-flight" response. There is an increase in blood flow to the brain during that response. The increase in blood flow results in a better capacity to think clearly.

There's an increase in the production of neurotransmitters, like catecholamines, in times of stress. The increase is a way for the body to practice internal stress management. Those catecholamines also help individuals perform better physically.

Our pupils dilate when we sense danger so that our eyes can see better. Though dilation enhances our vision, our peripheral vision will be reduced due to the dilation. Such vision is better when running away and avoiding obstacles.

Due to the increase of what we call catecholamines, cortisol levels spike blood sugar and shunt blood to muscular tissues.

There's also an increase in perspiration, an increase in muscle tone, a decrease in salivation, a drop in the blood flow to the gastrointestinal system, an increase in energy metabolism, an increase in the inflammatory response, and an increase in the ability to run away. All those are built-in factors to function optimally in periods of short-term stress.

Periods of short-term stress include running away from a predator in the forest. The problem begins to occur when running away from a predator becomes a daily, continuous occurrence. (1)

Modern-day stress is very different from the ancient stress of being chased by a predator in the forest. After all, a situation like being chased by predator results in either getting caught or making it safely away. Chronic stress, however, leads to a manifestation of burnout that can be emotional, physical, or mental. (2)

PROLONGED STRESS MAY LEAD TO:

• Anxiety disorders
• Panic disorder
• Severe stress in social situations
• Social anxiety disorder
• Nervous system issues
• Anxiety attack recurrences
• Upset stomach and gastrointestinal issues
• Heart strain
• Reliance on recreational drugs
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbances
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Mental health issues
• Catastrophizing (always thinking of the worst-case scenarios).

The first stage is a stage of satisfaction in daily living. After that, it is point zero, where there is nothing other than the regular, predictable everyday stressors.

Stage two is the stage of the onset of stress. This is when we have a couple of more complex situations that we need to look at. Those situations may require special attention, but they are not above what we consider relatively normal. In those situations, the days can be a little tricky. However, there is satisfaction at the end of the day. There is always recovery, which occurs at resolution.

Problems occur when we reach the third stage of stress, which is the stage of chronic stress. In this stage, one experiences many issues and so many situations that need special examination. In such a state, one feels incredibly stressed frequently; the end of the day doesn't bring resolution. So there's a continuous state of stress, low grade, but taken home, at the end of the day, to stay with us until we resume work the next day.

Sometimes, stress can take a very different shape. For example, those stressors go away at work when stressors are in the family. However, for some, problems are happening both at home and work. In those cases, chronic stress moves into the stage of burnout, which is an endless amount of stress that never leaves the daily experience.

Stress becomes a typical component of life. To the burned-out individuals, it appears as though no intervention is there to take care of stress. So it's the stage of not being able to see a way out, ever. This is a problematic state because, in this state, the body can’t deal with the stress anymore.

In the stage of complete burnout, stress starts to bring on health issues. So we've moved from emotional and mental exhaustion into physical manifestations of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a lack of capacity for the body to start to react naturally to stress. Those situations are situations in which the body can no longer go back to normal. However, the body is still so depleted that it can’t continue mounting a stress response. This is a hazardous stage for physical, mental, and emotional health. (1,2,3)

Adding outlets to your life to help you deal with stress is very important. The first outlet for helping you deal with daily stress is routine. Unfortunately, the routine can be mundane and hard to maintain. The practice saves our bodies by getting our physiology ready. Training keeps our bodies accustomed to a specific schedule. A schedule makes the body more adapted and prepared to deal with what you have next.

If you can have some time to meditate and spend time on your own, then you are likely better adapted to stress. Practicing a meditative routine/ spiritual practice can help the body anticipate some sort of rest/ routine that it can always go back to.

Underestimating the power of stress means stressing the adrenals a lot more, stressing out the brain, especially when depriving the body of natural states of recovery. Recovery takes place when we eat healthily, have regular physical activity, and ensure a healthy sleep schedule.

POTENTIAL TREATMENT OPTIONS:

• Stress management/support groups
• Deep breathing exercises
• Mindfulness meditation
• Lifestyle changes (routine)
• Regular exercise
• Relaxation techniques
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Prescription medication
• Herbal supplements

A botanical product that comes from the stigma of a flower and is considered the world's most expensive spice. Studies show that saffron has mood-enhancing capabilities that stem from its natural ability to inhibit the reuptake of neurotransmitters (4). Inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters is the primary method used by anti-anxiety medications to enhance mental health. Saffron is shown to be both an anxiolytic and an antidepressant agent (5). 

• It supports healthy levels of serotonin
• Regulates brain chemicals
• Reduces feelings of anxiety
• Not associated with the same side effects as pharmaceuticals
• Has many other health benefits.
• Can be added to a medical treatment plan (under the care of a doctor)

Additionally, it has been demonstrated to improve sleep, and because of its capability to improve sleep and the stress response, it is shown to be beneficial in maintaining heart health. Other positive aspects of saffron include its capacity to act as an antioxidant and an agent of enhancement for overall well-being. (6)

For those who suffer from high blood pressure, it might be good to take some time to do breathing exercises during work. Breathing exercises don't need to take a long time, and they can be five to 15 minutes in length. They only involve you being aware of your breath and taking long enough breaths for you to feel relaxed. Most of us end up shallow breathing in times of stress. Those shallow breaths are known to enhance the stress response. Slowing down your breathing and taking a moment to breathe deeply can be one of the most effective ways for you to reduce your heart rate and control your blood pressure. (10)

Blood pressure control can sometimes require pharmaceuticals. In such scenarios, it is important to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider.

Some of the agents that control blood pressure include: 

Shown to aid in maintaining a healthy mood, decrease dark thoughts, and increase the capacity of individuals to concentrate. As a mental health agent, it's shown to be an anti-anxiety and antidepressant agent. The efficacy of holy basil is linked to its capacity to balance the brain's neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Holy basil may also support healthy mindfulness practices. (14-16)

Additionally, it is shown to enhance gastrointestinal health and cardiovascular health in times of stress. Some studies demonstrate its ability to prevent stress-induced ulcers and stress-induced increases in blood pressure in times of chronic stress. It also contains many phytochemicals that can help the body decrease the damage due to inflammatory agents and heal further after the stressor is gone. (17)

A natural amino acid found in food, and it's known to enhance the heart’s capacity to maintain healthy blood pressure control (11). As an anti-anxiety agent, it decreases cortisol, promotes healthy waking and sleep brain waves, and has been demonstrated to act as an antidepressant. It's also shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Additionally, like ashwagandha, it enhances the immune system in periods of stress. Unlike ashwagandha, though, GABA’s pathway enhances the immunoglobulin IgA, our mucosal immunoglobulin. IgA is one of our most important, essential initial forms of innate immunity, and it helps us neutralize things even before the body can fully recognize them. (12)

All of the agents regulating blood sugar and maintaining healthy cortisol levels enhance immunity due to their capacity to control blood sugar. Conversely, blood sugar is known to decrease immunity. Many pathogenic agents, like pathogenic bacteria, highly thrive on sugar. Therefore, the first step to maintaining a healthy immune system is maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. (13)

Minerals that are very important for maintaining a healthy stress response include magnesium, selenium, and zinc. For example, magnesium deficiency is directly linked to an increased susceptibility to stress (21). In addition, it is shown to promote sleep as a muscle relaxant. It also appears to enhance GABA naturally and reduce blood pressure. Magnesium also aids in mounting a healthy stress response as it's shown to activate hormones that maintain mental health and decrease depression.

Exposure to stress causes the muscles to tense from a physical standpoint. Magnesium is required for the relaxation of muscles. Some preparations of magnesium come with a glycine group. The glycine group is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that relaxes nerves. When combined with GABA, magnesium and GABA enhance blood pressure control significantly and maintain cardiovascular health in times of stress. (22, 23)