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Your Brain's Batteries are at 3%.
stress is good in small doses. massive sustained amounts will kill you faster than you think.
a thread
stress is good in small doses. massive sustained amounts will kill you faster than you think.
a thread
2/ The Players
1st we need to understand some biology.
Neurotransmitters: a neuron that carries a message throughout the body's cells (i.e. you touch a hot stove)
1st we need to understand some biology.
Neurotransmitters: a neuron that carries a message throughout the body's cells (i.e. you touch a hot stove)
3/ The Players (part 2)
Hormones: a neuron that secretes a chemical into the bloodstream creating a widespread reaction (i.e. adrenaline rushes)[...]
Hormones: a neuron that secretes a chemical into the bloodstream creating a widespread reaction (i.e. adrenaline rushes)[...]
4/ The Players (part 3)
The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is like an electrical grid. When you're stressed, it lights up and carries hormones and neurotransmitters throughout the body to fix the situation.
The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is like an electrical grid. When you're stressed, it lights up and carries hormones and neurotransmitters throughout the body to fix the situation.
5/
This explains reports of superhuman strength in life threatening experiences.
How did we end up with this system?
This explains reports of superhuman strength in life threatening experiences.
How did we end up with this system?
6/ The History
Our ancestors needed a way to sense danger before it was too late. How can we avoid getting eaten by a lion or hypothermia BEFORE it happens?
Fast forward a few million years and BOOM -- we have the most complex and effective threat response system of any animal.
Our ancestors needed a way to sense danger before it was too late. How can we avoid getting eaten by a lion or hypothermia BEFORE it happens?
Fast forward a few million years and BOOM -- we have the most complex and effective threat response system of any animal.
7/ The Response
Here's what happens when we feel threatened...
The Heart shifts into maximum overdrive, pumping massive amounts of the blood throughout the body to increase circulation + increase performance. (i.e. running away from threats faster).
Here's what happens when we feel threatened...
The Heart shifts into maximum overdrive, pumping massive amounts of the blood throughout the body to increase circulation + increase performance. (i.e. running away from threats faster).
8/ The Response (part 2)
Insulin (the chemical that breaks down food and stores it as energy) is blocked. We want as MUCH energy as possible. If insulin is circulating, our energy supplies are depleting.
Insulin (the chemical that breaks down food and stores it as energy) is blocked. We want as MUCH energy as possible. If insulin is circulating, our energy supplies are depleting.
9/ The Response (part 3)
The Immune system enters lockdown mode. It diverts all resources to defend any intruder.
This is great news. We are safe + protected.
The bad news? Most people are in a high stress state every day.
The Immune system enters lockdown mode. It diverts all resources to defend any intruder.
This is great news. We are safe + protected.
The bad news? Most people are in a high stress state every day.
10/ The Bad News
A constant heightened state leaves us with:
Extremely High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
Depleted Immune Systems (sickness)
Insulin resistance (Type II Diabetes)
A constant heightened state leaves us with:
Extremely High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
Depleted Immune Systems (sickness)
Insulin resistance (Type II Diabetes)
11/The Bad News (part 2)
Ever wondered why humans get ulcers and zebra's don't? Because zebras are dumb.
Zebra's only stress when they see a lion hiding in the brush about to pounce. The rest of the day they are chilling out, living a stress free zebra lifestyle.
Ever wondered why humans get ulcers and zebra's don't? Because zebras are dumb.
Zebra's only stress when they see a lion hiding in the brush about to pounce. The rest of the day they are chilling out, living a stress free zebra lifestyle.
12/ The Bad News (part 3)
Humans are the only animals who can manifest stress in their heads.
Traffic. Laundry. Relationships. Work. Money. We create threats.
Humans are the only animals who can manifest stress in their heads.
Traffic. Laundry. Relationships. Work. Money. We create threats.
13/ The Bad News (part 4)
We activate our SNS and then just...do nothing. Our bodies think we are running from a lion. We sit in a puddle of hormones and anxiety. Regardless of how many green smoothies you drink, if you don't fix it, it will kill you.
We activate our SNS and then just...do nothing. Our bodies think we are running from a lion. We sit in a puddle of hormones and anxiety. Regardless of how many green smoothies you drink, if you don't fix it, it will kill you.
14/
If you're stressed and need help with reduction techniques, my DM's are always open!
If you enjoyed this thread and want to learn more about your body: check out http://fitnessdistillery.substack.com
If you're stressed and need help with reduction techniques, my DM's are always open!
If you enjoyed this thread and want to learn more about your body: check out http://fitnessdistillery.substack.com
