A stressful situation is threatening, https://antiage.click/en/reaction-en the reaction occurs at all levels: personal, cognitive, emotional, physiological. Before engaging in prevention or stress relief, it is necessary to measure the stress level. An application for a regular smartphone can help with this. Right now at https://antiage.click/en/welltory-en at the bottom of the page you can download the stress test application and measure your stress level at the moment.
The body’s response to stress. Physiology of stress
Excitation from the cerebral cortex spreads to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone, which activates the adrenal cortex. The adrenal glands produce stress hormones – adrenaline and cortisol.
The nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal systems, metabolic processes are activated, and a surge of energy occurs. Adrenaline stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and its conversion into glucose. The level of glucose in the blood increases, which provides all cells with energy. There is an increase in breathing and heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, the blood is saturated with oxygen, the body is supplied with blood more effectively, including muscles to increase their tone and the brain to stimulate mental abilities.
On the other hand, the activity of secondary functions decreases to save energy. There is a decrease in blood flow in many internal organs and skin (which is useful for reducing bleeding during a possible injury), the number of platelets increases to accelerate blood clotting and quickly stop possible bleeding. Intestinal peristalsis, the secretion of digestive enzymes, the activity of the endocrine glands, and the synthesis of immune cells decrease.
If the body is under the influence of adrenaline and cortisol for too long, the nervous system becomes overtired. This can lead to various disorders, pain, and the development of diseases. Prolonged stimulation of the autonomic nervous system leads to vascular spasms and disruption of organs that are experiencing a lack of blood supply. The production of happiness hormones: dopamine and serotonin is blocked.
Stress and adaptation
Stress occurs as a reaction to strong irritants. Weak negative stimuli continuously come from outside, constantly occur in various situations and are overcome thanks to always active adaptation. A negative stimulus awakens the adaptation system and brings it into an active state, preparing the body for an effective response.
Various stress stimuli require a greater expenditure of adaptation energy. If it is produced less than is spent, a disorder, illness, death occurs. For some disorders, the impact of a fresh strong stimulus https://antiage.click/en/reaction-en can defeat the development of the disease and normalize the work of the adaptation system. As they say, a wedge is driven out with a wedge.
An organism that is regularly exposed to stress factors wears out almost half as fast as with minimal exposure or in calm. As they say, a year for two.