How stress works
And it isn’t only potential car accidents that cause stress. It also thrives on worry about finances, your children and grandchildren, politics, or community issues. Even positive events like retirement or taking a vacation can cause stress.
Stress is rooted in the body’s fight-or-flight response, what’s called the sympathetic nervous system. Say a car swerves into your lane on the highway. Your body responds by releasing two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, into your system. Adrenaline pumps up your heart rate and boosts your energy. Meanwhile, cortisol slows down body functions you don’t immediately need. When the danger passes, hormone levels return to normal, and you relax. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work. If you have constant stress, your hormone levels stay high, and your body can’t rest and repair itself.
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