Our bodies are magnificent creations. The systems and functions of each little cell of our bodies just amaze me. One of those systems is our fight-or-flight response, otherwise known as the sympathetic nervous system. Although it’s a much-needed function of our bodies, it can get out of control in someone with a chronic illness or even cause a chronic illness.
Let’s start with a little explanation of what goes on to send our bodies into a fight-or-flight response.
Our eyes or ears first alert the brain of some danger of some sort. This could be anything from seeing a toddler reaching for a hot pan, to hearing a herd of buffalo charging toward you, to seeing a bee land on your arm with stinger locked and loaded, to hearing a fire alarm.
The brain then sends a signal down our nervous system to different muscle groups and organs. This makes the adrenaline flow and causes the liver to release glucose to supply energy so you can, well, fight or flee. The adrenaline also goes to the lungs to speed up the breathing and the heart to speed up your heart rate – all in preparation to avoid or defeat the danger.
When the adrenaline reaches the digestive system it temporarily slows it down because it knows it’s more important to, let’s say, flee the burning building than it is to digest that omelet you ate for breakfast. As it reaches your reproductive system and immune system it’s going to bring those to a temporary halt as well. By doing these functions it’s allowing as much energy as possible to go to the muscles, heart, and lungs.
One signal used in various amazing ways!
The problem is – our current lifestyles leave our bodies almost in a constant state of being “on alert”. Even if it’s not constant, it’s definitely affected daily!
Although things may not seem like they put stress on our bodies, mental stress sets off the same alert system. Getting a late notice for your electric bill, seeing your phone light up with an incoming call from someone you don’t want to talk to, or running late for work isn’t going to kill you, but your sympathetic nervous system doesn’t understand the difference.
The consequence of our bodies running this alert system daily can lead to problems like high blood pressure, digestive issues and the suppression of our immune system. In my case, this led to adrenal fatigue which then brought in a whole host of other problems with it.
So what can we do to help calm this alert system?
Do things to calm your body!
- Practice having a daily quiet time of prayer and meditation on God’s word
- Allow yourself extra time to get where you need to go or accomplish a task
- Spend a few minutes deep breathing with your diaphragm – inhale slowly and deeply for 5 to 10 seconds, then exhale slowly and completely for 5 to 10 seconds
- Don’t multi-task, be present in the moment – try to eliminate multiple distractions for your attention
- Go to a quiet room and imagine yourself in your happy place while you focus on your breathing
- Try to get some exercise – even a simple walk for a few minutes per day
- Practice living a life of gratitude – daily reflections of the positives that have happened in your day
- Eat a healthy diet – cut down on caffeine and sugar, which put stress on your body
- Be aware of sensory overload – for example: avoid having the TV on while you’re clicking through your emails on your smartphone or turn off the radio while you’re having a conversation
- Learn to let go
- Try to schedule a day of rest each week and times of rest each day
