Stress Impact on Bodily Processes
TLDR - Stress can significantly impact our circadian rhythm and autonomic processes. If we are constantly stressed, our bodily functions will not operate at the right times.
Upstream Concept - Be Tuned Into Your Body
Impact of Stress on the Circadian Rhythm
When we experience stress, our bodies enter a state known as "fight or flight." This response is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and is designed to help us react quickly to perceived threats. While this response is beneficial in short bursts, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on our circadian rhythm and overall health.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Stress can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to fragmented and poor quality sleep. This disruption in sleep patterns can throw off our circadian rhythm, making it harder for our bodies to know when to be awake and when to rest.
Hormonal Imbalances: Chronic stress can lead to imbalances in hormones such as cortisol and melatonin. Elevated cortisol levels can suppress melatonin production, making it difficult to achieve restful sleep and further disrupting the circadian rhythm.
Altered Light Sensitivity: Stress can affect how our bodies respond to natural light cues, making it harder to reset our circadian rhythm and maintain a healthy sleep wake cycle.
The Consequences of Living in a State of Fight or Flight
When our bodies are in a constant state of fight or flight, they prioritize immediate survival over other essential functions. This can lead to several negative consequences:
Impaired Digestion: The body deprioritizes digestive processes during stress, leading to issues such as indigestion, bloating, and nutrient malabsorption.
Weakened Immune System: Chronic stress can suppress the immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses and infections.
Reduced Cognitive Function: Prolonged stress can impair cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and decision-making, affecting our overall mental performance.
Increased Inflammation: Stress can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, contributing to chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
The Importance of Managing Stress
Managing stress is crucial for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm and ensuring that our bodies can perform essential autonomic processes effectively. Note that stress management isn’t as simple as just following the practices below. There are also internal stressors that will likely need to be addressed, which will be discussed in more detail in the Danger Response section.
Stress Management Example Practices
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness and meditation can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation, making it easier to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. I highly highly highly recommend the meditations from Joe Dispenza. Like everything, it takes practice, but you have the ability to tap into your autonomic nervous system and make changes to your genetic expressions.
Breathing Techniques: I highly recommend BreathHoldWork by Erwan Le Corre. I also found the Wim Hof technique helpful. There are many different variations and you can probably find free ones on youtube. It is more important to just start doing any of them than to find the “perfect” one.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Exercise is a natural stress reliever and can help regulate cortisol levels, improve sleep quality, and support overall health.
Prioritize Sleep: Establish a consistent sleep routine and create a relaxing bedtime environment to support healthy sleep patterns and circadian rhythm.
Limit Exposure to Artificial Light and EMFs: Reduce exposure to artificial light, especially blue light, and EMFs in the evening to support melatonin production and improve sleep quality.
Reduce and Remove Internal Dangers or Stressors: There are many physical and emotional stressors around us. If we are overwhelmed by these stressors and our body is in a constant state of danger, it makes all other stressors harder to manage.