Stress
Whether real or perceived, it wreaks havoc on our body. That chronic tension, head, neck or shoulder pain that plagues you? Likely a side effect from the activation of our Sympathetic Nervous System {aka our Fight or Flight response}.
Stressful situations, while unavoidable, cause immediate physiological changes in our body – both seen and unseen. Hormonally, epinephrine circulates to sharpen the senses – the heart beats faster, the lungs expand and the pupils dilate {meaning extra light enters the retina and can later result in light sensitivity and headaches}. Your brain signals your adrenal system to kick into high gear, pulling the building blocks away from necessary hormones {like estrogen and progesterone} and towards the production of cortisol.
