Stress-relieving Strategies

Abstract

<p>Imagine you are driving your car without a care in the world when suddenly you hear a siren. In your rear-view mirror, you see blue flashing lights and the driver of the vehicle indicating for you to pullover to the side of the road. You don't bother to glance down at your speedometer because you already know you were traveling too fast. You can identify the changes that instantly occur in your body: racing pulse, sweaty palms, tense muscles, unsettled stomach and more. These symptoms are commonly referred to as the "stress response." While most people don't find them pleasant at the time, the stress response is<br />designed to help us deal with emergency situations.<br />Essentially it gears the body for "fight or flight." Neither response is recommended when being pulled over by the police, but they are<br />appropriate if being pursued by something that wants to eat you.</p>