In the medical world and in our society, stress has been highly demonized. I see articles all the time on “How To Fight Stress” and “Be Stress Free,” neither of which work and both of which amplify the problem.

Now, what I love about problems is that they can be solved!

And if you really think about it, why would you even want to eradicate stress? Some of the most meaningful experiences are “stressful”- just think motherhood, public speaking or a big work project.

  • What if there was just a better way to handle it?
  • What if stress was a message?
  • What if it was actually an opportunity for growth and development, a sign to redirect and change?

Throughout this article, we will explore the ins and outs of stress and go over some simple, yet effective mindset shifts to help you detoxify stress and make it work for rather than against you.

The Difference Between Stress & Stressors

Stress is the total mind-body response experienced when we perceive that we do not have the resources to handle a life experience. At its core, stress is a disturbance in homeostasis that results in a series of psychological and physiological adaptations.

While a stressor is the stimulus, or the perceived threat, that in turn triggers the stress response like a final exam, argument or food intolerance.

Simply, our level of stress is determined by what we are given and how we choose to interpret it. It is the interplay between our genetic predisposition, life experiences, perception and choices.

How Stress Affects The Body

Initially, our body and mind work together to evaluate an experience and decide whether or not it is a threat to our system based on stored memories, sensory input and processing.

If the experience is perceived as a threat, the acute stress response, known as The Fight or Flight Response is activated. This response is produced by a general release from the sympathetic nervous system, priming the organism to fight or flee under attack. More specifically, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is set into motion when the hypothalamus receives a signal of distress from one of its many inputs.

The hypothalamus then signals the pituitary and adrenal glands to set off a cascade of hormones that result in the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and the catecholamines, specifically norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) simultaneously. The release of these two chemical messengers result in the production of cortisol, which functions primarily to redistribute energy to the critical organs (the heart & brain) and muscle groups that need it most and away from what does not (digestive & reproductive organs).

This response is triggered in an effort to boost and redistribute energy in order to give the body increased strength, speed, and support in anticipation of an attack.

Did you read that correctly? This response is triggered in an effort to help the body rise to the challenge.

Contrary to popular belief, the stress response differs with each experience and is influenced by our perspective of it. However, in order to better understand its affects, let’s go on to discuss the Fight or Flight Response, in general.

During the Fight or Flight Response, your senses are sharpened, your heart starts to race, breathing becomes rapid, blood pressure goes up and other systems are suppressed. I’m sure you can relate.

After the stressor is no longer present and enough cortisol has been secreted to restore homeostasis, the elevated levels of cortisol in the blood bind to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to inhibit the production of more cortisol, essentially turning off the stress response through feedback inhibition.

Where The Problem Comes In

The problem comes in when the acute stress response turns long term and chronic. While the body is prepared to come down from an acute reaction, it is not prepared to be in a prolonged state of tension without relief and proper restoration.

When stress is not managed properly, it can then go on to disrupt the natural rhythm and flow of cortisol throughout the day, and it’s this broken rhythm that can cause unnecessary confusion and chaos.

So how does this reaction manifest? According to the research, symptoms are diverse and nonspecific and can include, but are not limited to:

  • Trouble with memory and recall
  • Inability to focus and concentrate
  • Inability to judge situations and make decisions
  • Pessimistic attitude
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Moody, irritable, and short tempered
  • Agitated, unable to relax, nervous habits
  • Feeling overwhelmed and incapable
  • Feeling lonely and isolated
  • Sleep irregularities
  • Procrastination and neglecting responsibilities
  • Overuse of alcohol and drugs
  • Cravings- especially sugar, carbs and caffeine
  • Dizziness- especially from lying to standing
  • Lightheadedness- especially in between meals
  • Skin issues- acne, eczema, psoriasis
  • Headaches and pains
  • Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
  • Irregular periods and infertility
  • Decreased libido
  • Digestive and elimination issues
  • Accelerated aging
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity, increased visceral (abdominal) fat and reduction in the ability to burn fat

And the list goes on… In fact, it is not farfetched to say that stress has the potential to play a part in every chronic disease that exists today.

But more important than its role in chronic disease, is our perception of it. In fact the research also says that we can turn stress from a death sentence into an avenue for growth, development, health and well-being if we so choose.

I think Dr. Kelly McGonigal, author of The Upside of Stress, said it best in her Ted Talk, “How To Make Stress Your Friend”, where she references several studies covering this phenomenon.

So how can we learn to detoxify stress and embrace it in a new and empowering way?

In my program, Let Go & Grow, we dive deep into this topic and the unique process I use in my private practice, depicted here, to address the mind and body holistically.

look at → learn from → let go of → grow through → evolution

We look at mindset, diet and lifestyle and how to let go of what doesn’t work, incorporate what does, and move forward powerfully in a way that is true to you.

So let’s wrap up with 5 key mindset shifts that can make a huge impact on your relationship with stress.

#1 Begin to see challenges as opportunities for growth and development. 

#2 Let go of resistance for resilience and embrace the challenges life brings your way. 

#3 Exercise your power to choose how you interpret and respond to your life experiences. 

#4 Balance is relative. Don’t compare your version of balance to another’s. 

#5 Everything happens for you not to you. Your body is working for you and so is your life. Embracing this perspective, will bring in a lot of freedom.

 

Finally, don’t let the notion of stress amplify it. Stress is a part of the human experience, a natural part of being alive, which is a blessing in it of itself. So next time you experience a challenge, acknowledge it, embrace it, go within and see how you can grow through it. Dive deep and allow it to make you even stronger and more resilient than you already are. Let Go & Grow. 

More Resources

Resources From Dr. Brooke Stuart / Let Go & Grow®