What Is Stress?
Stress is a normal response to pressure about difficult and sometimes life threatening situations. Humans are wired to respond to dangerous situations by releasing hormones from the adrenal glands. You know that feeling you get when something scares you and the rush of energy surges through your body so you can jump into action and either take on the threat (fight) or flee from the scene (flight).
Adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. Triangular in shape, they are only as big as a walnut yet these little glands pack some serious punch, secreting almost 50 different hormones!
In our modern day society it is highly unusual to be under regular stress from lions or wild animals chasing us. Our bodies, however, are programmed to respond in the same way to any intense or stressful situation. A little bit of stress is fine and increases energy and alertness meaning that we have resources to cope with the situation. Frequently, however, the stresses of modern life can chronically run over long periods of time and the impact it has on your body and your life can be huge.
Impact on your Fertility
Stress and anxiety can have a major impact on your fertility. It’s logical when you think about it. Those hormones that your adrenals are secreting? They can block other key sex hormones. So effectively leaving you not only stressed about your daily life, but struggling with your fertility as well!
It’s logical when you think about it. If you are running away from that wild animal, it’s not helpful to be gestating a baby. That baby, while surely wonderful, is likely to slow you down, not help you get away from a hungry lion. Thus the body is going to aim for your survival first and foremost. Kind of like the airplane oxygen mask instruction airlines give before takeoff.
Ways to come down from stress?
Ideally you want your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in. Why? Because this is responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ functions of your body.
- If possible, and I know it might not be, change your work.
- When you can’t change your work or job, look at your lifestyle. Look closely and be honest with yourself. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, doing anything that ‘numbs’ you is unlikely to be really helping. Make some changes and you put your body in a much better position to get well.
- Get more sleep! Sleep is a natural healer. If you can get regular hours, you will start to feel better.
- Start moving your body! Exercise will improve your sleep and overall you will feel better.
- Go outside every day, in nature, if you can.
- Get a massage or bodywork.
- Have fun! Life is meant to be fun not misery.
- Find things to appreciate every single day! They are there, and one day you might not have them, so notice them today.
- Learn tools to calm your body including breathing techniques, mindfulness meditation, Emotional Freedom Technique and many others. As a result you may find yourself relaxing when you once would tense up. When you find what works for you, make a commitment to use them.
Because it takes time and persistence to bring your body down from ongoing stress, be patient with yourself. If you have any major physical concerns, be sure to go and see your doctor.