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Today we’re starting a new series on stress. This is a word that gets thrown around a lot but it’s actually a pretty complex problem and a lot of people don’t even completely understand exactly how damaging stress can be. Every part of your body – your reflexes, gut, nutrition, brain – is impacted when you’re in a state of stress. If we want to really understand stress then we need to look at the whole body.
Stress is a physiological event. When our brains perceive a threat or stressful situation, there is a cascade of events that occur in our bodies sometimes even before we are conscious of the threat at hand. Of course, stress is an important survival instinct, but what happens when we live in a state of chronic stress? A prolonged state of stress can dysregulate your autonomic nervous system and cause a lot of concerning symptoms, which, if left unchecked, will just continue to cause more and more problems. This episode is just a starting point, but it’s important to start thinking about stress and figuring out how to recognize and then break that cycle of chronic stress. Each episode I’ll share something practical that you can do right now to help relieve some of that stress.
In this episode, we cover:
- The physiology of stress
- Our reflexes and how they tie into your stress responses
- Signs of chronic stress
- What happens when your stress bucket tips over
- Why the way you feel isn’t a good indicator of health
- How chronic stress changes your brain
- One thing you can do right now to start lessening your stress
Resources mentioned:
- Dr. Laura’s new location, Brain & Body Rehabilitation Specialists
- Download Dr. Laura’s guide to Developmental Milestones (it’s free!)
- Connect with Dr. Laura on Instagram and Facebook
- Liking the show? Write a review!
More about Connect My Brain:
Why is this happening to my kid and what can I do about it? If you’re the parent of a developmentally delayed child, you’ve probably asked this question more than once. That’s where I come in! I’m Dr. Laura Hanson and I specialize in identifying the “why” and telling you the “what.” Join me every Thursday for a deeper look at how our brains are wired and how to get the most out of your mind. Are you looking to break negative patterns, overcome mood disorders, or optimize your potential? Maybe your child struggles with ADHD, OCD or other learning difficulties. Tune in to Connect My Brain, where I explain concepts like biofeedback and neurofeedback, brainwave frequencies, and much more. Let me help you change your life by changing your mind! Contact me HERE.
