The Stress Response Cycle: What It Is and How To Complete It
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Life tends to ebb and flow between tranquility and tumult. One moment, we may find ourselves peacefully basking in the serenity of a quiet afternoon; the next moment, we’re plunged into a whirlwind of urgent tasks and tight deadlines. Although these unexpected shifts are common, they’re also unsettling. They punctuate what should ideally be the serenity of our daily existence with seemingly unending episodes of stress.
Often, in our quest for some semblance of comfort and ease, we find ourselves reaching for a tempting glass of wine or a chilled beer. But here's the caveat: alcohol, as soothing as it may seem, doesn't actually dampen the stress — it merely fans its flames.
A broad spectrum of situations can trigger stress in our lives: the relentless demands of a high-pressure job, the all-consuming anxiety of financial instability, the conflict in our personal relationships, or even the sudden loss of a loved one.
Amid these emotionally charged scenarios, we might find ourselves instinctively gravitating towards alcohol, believing that alcohol might offer us a fleeting respite, a short-lived escape from our stressors. But the reality is different. Alcohol doesn't really help us deal with stress. Instead, it merely casts a momentary illusion of relaxation and calm. In the long run, it leaves us more vulnerable to the deleterious effects of stress, pushing us deeper into the labyrinth of mental and physical unrest.
To better navigate the terrain of stress, we need to understand the stress response cycle, a physiological mechanism ingrained in our bodies.
The stress cycle starts with the alarm stage. This is the phase when our body, recognizing the threat, slips into the well-known “fight or flight” mode. Our heart races, adrenaline courses through our veins, and our senses sharpen. This is our body’s primal response to perceived danger, a throwback to our early human ancestors who faced physical threats to their survival.
Once the alarm stage has run its course, we enter the resistance stage. Our parasympathetic nervous system may lower the stress response if we feel that the threat has run its course.
If the stressor persists, our bodies try to adapt and keep up. We remain in a state of heightened arousal, albeit with reduced intensity. This can lead to continued increases in our stress hormones and symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, frustration, and irritability.
The final phase of the stress response cycle is the exhaustion stage. This is the point when our bodies, having been in a relentless state of high alert, begin to deplete their resources. Fatigue sets in. We might experience emotional burnout, feel depressed, and get sick more easily (an indicator that our immune system isn’t functioning optimally). This stage underscores that our bodies are crying out for rest and recuperation.
Over time, this continual state of stress can even lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and even stomach ulcers.
The good news is that we have the power to break this cycle, to hit the pause button, and allow our bodies to reset. The key lies in successfully completing the stress response cycle. How do we do that?
The stress response cycle, at its core, is a natural part of our existence, a survival mechanism handed down to us from our ancestors. However, when stress morphs from an acute, short-lived response to a chronic condition, it's imperative to find healthier ways to cope. Alcohol might seem like a quick fix, but it's far from being a solution. Instead, understanding and successfully navigating the stress response cycle is the key to effective stress management.
Remember that we are not just creatures who survive: we are beings who thrive. Stress might be a part of our lives, but it doesn't have to take over our lives. The power to cope, to reset, and to prevail lies within us. We all possess the innate capacity to endure and flourish.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
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