Stress, friend or enemy?

• April 19, 2024

Feeling fear is not related to courage or cowardice, it is a response of adaptation of the human being in defense of his physical and emotional integrity. Fear is one of the main triggers of stress.

In turn, stress is an ally that activates our physical and mental defenses to act at critical moments; however, if it is prolonged it can become our worst enemy, since it can trigger or exacerbate diseases such as flu, allergies, anxiety disorders, hypertension, depression and deficiencies in the immune system.

Going from health to disease depends on how strong or weak our immune system is, because it is responsible for combating viruses, bacteria and other pathogens that attack the body.

Benjamín Domínguez Trejo, specialist of the Faculty of Psychology of the UNAM He explained that at the time of stress, the brain sends a message through the spinal cord to the nucleus of the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline, the fight or flight hormone.

"The sensation of pain is reduced. Memory and thinking improve to find the best solution to the problem. "

Likewise, he said, the pupils dilate to optimize vision, the lungs absorb more oxygen and the liver stores glucose. The intestines stop digestion to allow more energy to the muscles and "the production of defenses is suppressed".

The heart rate and blood pressure increase, the heart pumps more blood bringing more oxygen to the body.

Minutes later, the body goes to the recovery phase; in this the glucose stored in the liver becomes useful energy. The brain instructs the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, the hormone responsible for regulating metabolism.

The specialist stressed that the frequent activation of these changes has an impact on health, because the suppression of the defending cells weakens the resistance to the disease.

The excessive work of the heart with the increase of the heart rate and the elevation of the arterial pressure damages the elasticity of the blood vessels.

"Excessive production of cortisol can reduce cognitive ability (the ability to express thoughts and feelings through speech, as well as to make appropriate decisions) and provoke states of anger or depression."

Therefore, he recommended modulating these changes with the help of drugs, prescribed by a specialist and emotional regulation, through meditation, therapy or hobbies that we find enjoyable. And you, what do you consider to be your effects of stress?

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Video Medicine: How to make stress your friend | Kelly McGonigal (April 2024).