Stress

When you are in a stressful situation, your hormones kick into action.  The hypothalamus, which is part of the brain, sets off an alarm system in the body.  A message is sent to the adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney, and they release a surge of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol which are the ‘fight or flight’ hormones.  Adrenaline increases the heart rate, raises blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.  The primary stress hormone is Cortisol, this increases sugars/glucose in the bloodstream which, along with adrenaline, helps a person perform better in a stressful situation.  

The body will usually ‘re-set’ itself during a short-term stressful situation and the hormone levels will return to normal.  As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, heart rate and blood pressure return to a person’s usual level.  However, in a long-term chronic stressful situation adrenaline levels remain raised, which puts the body under pressure. Amongst other complications, blood pressure remains high, there is increased muscle tension and there is a hormonal imbalance, which causes a weakness in the immune system. This leads over time to pain and fatigue as well as mental effects. 

Studies have shown that yoga can help with stress.  Through practicing asanas (postures) we can develop the ability to concentrate and to be focussed on what we are doing rather that what is happening outside of the yoga studio in our everyday lives.  Practicing pranayama (breathing), using the full diagrammatic breath, can help relax the nervous system and help to quieten the mind, which helps to release tension in the body.  By looking after our physical body this helps to keep our mind healthy; looking after our mind helps to keep our body healthy.