SURVIVAL!

That's why you have butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms, a racing heart... and why you panic and feel anxious.

This mechanism has been part of us for tens of thousands of years. It is designed for the short term, to make us react quickly and "equip" us for fight or flight.

More than 30 hormones and neurotransmitters are involved in a cascade of events that will in turn impact your biochemistry, physiology, and mental state.

In a few seconds, you become faster, more focused, and yes, even stronger. In short, you'll manage the situation in the short term.

Next, it's imperative that everything returns to normal because this "smoke and mirrors" reaction to danger can't continue. It's very demanding. It takes energy, and well, our reserves are depleted. Everything has been monopolized for SURVIVAL. Good job!

Welcome to 2020

Financial problems, a not-so-great relationship, health problems, job loss, a parent confined in a long-term care facility... and ouch, the result: continuous stress and multiple renewed and anticipated worries.

And so this cascade of events which makes us react to dangerous situations (and which must be of short duration) repeats itself… again… and again… and continues… to infinity.

Grizzly = couple's quarrel = financial problems = flat tire

The problem is that the brain perceives danger. Regardless of its nature. Without any shades of gray.

It is therefore ready to react with its arsenal of neurotransmitters, hormones causing faster heartbeats, slowed digestion, dilated pupils, fears and even anxiety to anticipate imminent danger.

All of this is useful if a grizzly bear is chasing you. But does a grizzly bear chase you often? Several times a day… day after day… because…

...I'm repeating myself, but it's important that you understand: your brain doesn't differentiate between a grizzly bear 2 meters away from you and a return to school in the middle of a pandemic.

So you are always on high alert, always on a "high", ready to fight, ready to charge.

Things are getting out of hand... WHOOPS!

Too much cortisol (among other things) on a continuous basis, and suddenly you're depleting your physical and mental energy reserves. And that's when the problems begin: insomnia, irritability, weight gain, high blood pressure, alcohol or substance addictions, headaches, anxiety. The list goes on.

Your body absolutely needs to relax in order to function properly.

But he won't do it alone. He's sending you signals, and it's up to you to listen and act.

NOT EASY, OTHERWISE EVERYONE WOULD DO IT.

The reality is that managing stress is difficult.

It takes minimal effort and time.

Good! You book yourself a dream spa getaway or a 3-week retreat in an ashram.

Good idea. But then what? Will you go back to your stressful work-sleep routine?

If your answer is yes, then I commend you for your effort, but it's a shame about your lack of understanding of the situation AND of your own body!

EVERY DAY: yes, that means a minimum of discipline.

You have to get into it. Every day. Even when things are going well.

Small moments in everyday life will make all the difference.

No matter your method: 10 minutes of meditation, jogging, yoga, tai chi, hiking, music, knitting… the idea is to give your body these moments of respite so that your mind and your body's biochemistry can return to normal.

Now, now... there, there, program your cell phone for a 10-minute "bye bye stress" break from your daily routine.

Breathe, sleep, meditate, walk, rationalize, read, laugh (I love that one!) and...take care of yourself ❤️😄 🙏

Need a little help HERBANICA?

We have what you need. Click here!