A stress primer
Stress is our body’s physical or behavioral response to events that alter our homeostasis, or the internal balance required for life under normal circumstances. When we encounter perceived threats or pressure—known as stressors—a biological chain reaction occurs that sharpens our minds, boosts our performance, and heightens our immune response.
This is known as our “fight-or-flight” response and has evolved over millions of years to protect us in sudden stressful situations. This response allows us to run a little faster, jump a little higher—even generate superhuman strength to lift a car off a trapped family member.
Stress can be categorized into two types—acute and chronic. Acute stress occurs after short-term events that lead to temporary changes in our body’s functioning. Short-term mild stress actually helps make us more resilient, and can spark cellular repair and regeneration. Chronic stress occurs when a stressor persists for a long time or frequently recurs, subjecting someone to the prolonged physical and psychological effects of epinephrine and cortisol, and inflammation that may contribute to myriad chronic diseases.
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