The Nervous System
The human body is equipped with an automatic nervous system and hormones designed to mobilize forces quickly when faced with threatening situations. This evolutionary system dates back to early human history, where it was crucial for survival to be able to react swiftly when encountering a lion on the savannah. In such moments, mechanisms are activated that increase focus, enhance blood flow to the muscles and brain, and enable us to run away at high speed.
Being in this stress mode is extremely energy-consuming, and the body's cells expend a lot of energy while attention is sharpened to detect potential dangers in the environment.
Many of us live in this stress mode every single day. It’s as if we constantly have a hotplate set to 2-3 that never turns off. This state can lead to neurological changes in the body that amplify pain signals and other signs of danger.
Stress also affects the production of important hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormonal changes can weaken our immune system, increase vulnerability to infections and inflammatory conditions, and negatively impact blood pressure. It can also increase the risk of arrhythmia, affect kidney function, and lead to thinner skin with a reduced ability to heal wounds.
This persistent stress load can therefore have extensive consequences for our health and well-being, and it is important to be aware of how we can reduce and manage our stress levels to maintain good health.
Throughout life, our brain stores experiences and memories, both good and bad. The nervous system is the system that alerts us about whether we are safe or in danger. If we are in danger, the nervous system will activate the fight/flight response or go into freeze mode. This response is crucial for our survival and is the main reason why our species has survived.
Even though your intellect and awareness know that you are safe in situations, your body and nervous system may still perceive it as unsafe based on previous life experiences.
In other words, it means that "You will not feel safe until your nervous system experiences that you are safe."