THE SURVIVAL!

This is why you have butterflies in your stomach, sweaty hands, heart beating wildly... and why you panic and worry.

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 which will in turn impact your biochemistry, physiology and mind.

In seconds, you become faster, more focused and yes, even stronger. In short, you will manage the situation IN THE SHORT TERM.

Then, it is imperative that everything returns to normal because this “fuss show” reaction to danger cannot last. It's very demanding. It takes energy and well, the reserves are empty. Everything has been monopolized for SURVIVAL. Well done!

Welcome to 2020

Financial problems, a bad relationship, health problems, job loss, a parent confined in a CHSLD... and ouch, result: continuous stress and multiple renewed and anticipated worries.

And now 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… ad infinitum.

Grizzly = torque chicane = financial problems = flat tire

The problem is that the brain perceives danger. It doesn't matter what it is. Without shades of gray.

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

All of this comes in handy 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 know the difference between a grizzly bear 2 meters away from you or going back to school in the middle of a pandemic.

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

It's getting out of hand...OOPS!

Too much cortisol (among other things) continuously and it depletes your physical and mental energy reserves. And then the problems begin: insomnia, irritability, weight gain, high blood pressure, alcohol or substance dependence, headaches, anxiety. The list is very long.

Your body absolutely must relax to function properly.

But he won't do it alone. He sends you the signals and it's up to you to listen to them 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 ashram retreat.

Good idea. But then? Go back to your stressful work-sleep rhythm.

If your answer is yes, then I say bravo for the effort, but too bad for the lack of understanding of the situation AND your own body!

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

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

Small moments every day will make all the difference.

It doesn't matter what your formula is: 10 minutes of meditation, jogging, yoga, taichi, hiking, music, knitting... the idea is to give your body these moments of respite so that your mind and your body's biochemistry return to normal .

Now, now... there, program your cell phone for a 10-minute “bye bye stress” respite from everyday life.

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

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