A little known response to stress

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

Through human connection, we can have personal resilience - trust that you can handle inevitable stress and you can aim for meaning in your life.

🟢 A little known response to stress is that a neuro-hormone called oxytocin is released.

It protects the cardiovascular system, is anti-inflammatory, helps blood vessels relax and cells in the body to heal and strengthen.

It is enhanced by social contact and social support - the more we reach out, the more oxytocin is released.

🟡 This amazing hormone fine-tunes our brain's SOCIAL instincts, priming us to do things that strengthen social relationships, enhancing empathy - we notice when someone else is struggling, even as we feel stressed about (possibly) the same external factors.

We become willing to help and support people we care about.

It also motivates us to seek support, to tell someone how we feel.

WATCH my microlearning videos in ✴️ My YouTube playlist Coping skills for well-being: https://www.youtube.com/@canalsidelifecoach/playlists

Remember it can give immediate relief to seek professional help - set up a session to talk with a life coach, or for more deep seated issues in your past, a therapist for guidance and support.

📩 You can contact me on anne.brookes@canalsidecoach.app

Reference: How to make stress your friend | Kelly McGonigal, TED talk