Life Style and Technology

Today, the “fight of flight” response is still useful if a physical reaction (such as dodging a speeding car) is called for, or if we have to meet some short term psychological challenge (such as giving a speech or taking on exam). Our bodies are equipped to handle stress without damage, if we are able to relax after we have mobilized our physical resources and taken the short term action that was called for. After the stressful situation has passed, we need a chance to regain our original balance state. What is known as our bodily home stasis? Just as our bodies need to maintain a normal temperature of about 37^oC most of the time, so do they need to keep other aspect of functioning in balance most of the time? These aspects include blood pressure, the volume of fluids, and the level of hormones in the blood.

Trouble arises when one arousal reaction is piled on top of another and the body does not get a chance to return to normal. Many of our modern stressors are psychological. We can neither fight them nor flee them. Stress tends to build up and disrupt our body’s functioning, particularly through the action of hormones released by the endocrine glands under stress. Epinephrine, for example, may keep muscles tense and the blood pressure and heart rate high for several days, or even longer. It may also interfere with the immune system, lowering our resistance to disease. As a result, we may develop one or more of many different, subtle symptoms without even being aware of the degree of stress we are under.