Stress

When danger is sensed, our body has a “fight or flight” mechanism to allow us to protect ourselves from danger. When there is an external stimulus that can be physically harmful this mechanism is quite helpful. Over time though, humans have evolved to create an environment that reduces almost eliminates situations where we would face danger that would require our body to use the” fight or flight” mechanism. Surely there are situations where this processes is needed, but the human race could survive without this mechanism.  When our brain senses danger our body goes under many processes to help defend it. Our digestive system and reproductive system are repressed. Our heart rate, breathing and immune system temporarily increase. Then our body secretes cortisol, in order to, regain the normal body functions. Our body does not only go through this process when physical threats are near.  When people are stressed their body goes through the same processes that occur when there is physical danger. When stress quite often, there body is continually undergoing this processes. This can have a harmful effect on the body. Studies show people who have chronic stress often have poor health and shorter life spans compared to people who live with less stress. Mainly people who live in poverty are constantly stressed, and suffer from poor health because of this. There are coping stress mechanisms that can help relieve stress. Listening to music or doing something active can help relieve stress. I noticed when I am stressed out or frustrated listening to music always calms me down. Also when listening to music, the music can sways your body to move. So dancing to the music can also help relieve the stress. Coping stress doesn’t solve the problems that are causing the stress, but it is better for health. Also if someone is good at coping with stress, maybe that person will have a better mindset to help that person along to working on solving his or her stressful problems. Most of this information was received from Professor Wadsworth’s presentation.