The Nervous System and Fight or Flight Response
Think of your nervous system as having two main parts: the CNS (central nervous system) which includes your brain and spinal cord, and the PNS (peripheral nervous system) that carries messages everywhere else. The PNS splits into two branches - one controls voluntary movements like picking up your phone, whilst the other handles automatic functions like breathing.
The autonomic nervous system has two opposing teams: the sympathetic nervous system (your "fight or flight" mode) and the parasympathetic nervous system (your "rest and digest" mode). When you're stressed, your sympathetic system kicks in through the SAM pathway - your amygdala spots danger, tells your hypothalamus, which then triggers your adrenal glands to pump out adrenaline.
During fight or flight, your body becomes a survival machine. Your heart pounds faster, breathing quickens, muscles tense up, and pupils dilate - all so you can either face the threat or leg it. Non-essential systems like digestion get put on hold because who needs to worry about lunch when there's danger about?
Quick Tip: Remember that acute stress (short-term pressure) can actually help you focus and perform better, but chronic stress (long-term pressure) is when things get problematic for your health.
