Are You Stressed? Who Me? Recognizing Stress can save your life.

Understanding Stress: How to Restore Balance and Reduce Stress Chemicals

By Jaime J. HernandezHealth and Exercise Prescriptions®📍 www.healthandexerciseprescriptions.com💊 Supplements Store – Thorne

Stress is something we all feel, but most of us don't fully understand. The tension in your shoulders, racing heart, restless sleep—these may all be signs of chronic stress. And while stress can be motivating in small bursts, living in a constant "fight-or-flight" mode can severely harm your physical and mental well-being.

In this post, we’ll break down how stress works in your body, the chemicals involved, and simple interventions to restore calm and balance.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

The Two Sides of Your Nervous System

Your autonomic nervous system has two major branches:

• Sympathetic (Fight or Flight) – Activated during stress, danger, or urgency.

• Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest) – Activated during calm, healing, and recovery.

When these systems are balanced, your body is resilient. But chronic activation of the sympathetic system (think: stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol) keeps your body stuck in a heightened state that exhausts your immune system, disrupts digestion, and even impairs sleep and focus.

What Are Stress Chemicals Doing to You?

Two key stress hormones released during the "fight or flight" response are:

• Adrenaline (epinephrine): Increases heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and muscle tension. It also shuts down digestion and relaxation.

• Cortisol: Breaks down protein for energy, suppresses immune function, and disrupts sleep-wake cycles.

Prolonged exposure to these chemicals weakens every organ system and leaves you more prone to illness, anxiety, depression, and burnout.

Are You Even Aware You're Stressed?

Many people are unaware of how stressed they truly are.

Take this example: A 35-year-old mother of a newborn says she "doesn’t feel stressed"—yet she works full-time, rarely sleeps, has no time to exercise, and feels mentally overloaded. Her eye twitches from fatigue, and she can’t sleep because her mind won’t shut off.

This is chronic stress, and over time, it chips away at your health—even if you’re used to "pushing through."

The Car-Horn Test: Your Instant Stress Check

Here’s a quick way to test your stress response:

Imagine you're driving, someone cuts you off, then honks at you. What happens in your body?

• Racing heart

• Sweaty palms

• Short, shallow breath

• Irritability or anger

That’s your sympathetic nervous system firing up. When this response happens too often, it becomes your baseline—and that’s a problem.

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Stress and Rebalance Your Body

✅ Use these conservative interventions to reset your nervous system and reduce harmful stress chemicals.

1. Light to Moderate Exercise

Burn off adrenaline and boost endorphins. A short walk, gentle yoga, or resistance band circuit can do wonders.🔗 Need a plan? Visit my site

2. Journaling

Let your emotions out on paper. Journaling is a powerful tool for clarity, stress relief, and mood management.

3. Meditation & Breathwork

Use deep breathing and mindfulness meditation to calm your nervous system.🎧 Want a free guided meditation?  <iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/5vQ01sAnDm1qPQad8jf6b0?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>

4. Stay Positive—Change the Narrative

Your thoughts influence your body. Reframe negative self-talk and practice gratitude daily.

5. Massage or Acupuncture

These therapies activate the parasympathetic system, calming the body and improving circulation.🔗 Bellingham Acupuncture & Wellness

Bonus Support: Supplements That Help You Stress Less

Consider supporting your stress recovery with high-quality supplements such as:

• Adaptogens (like ashwagandha, rhodiola)

• Magnesium (calms the nervous system)

• B-complex vitamins (vital for energy and stress metabolism)

• Omega-3 fatty acids (support mood and brain health)

🛒 Shop recommended formulas here:👉 Jaime’s Supplement Store – Thorne

Final Thoughts

Stress is part of life—but chronic stress shouldn’t be your norm. By understanding your body’s response and using simple lifestyle tools to rebalance, you’ll not only feel better—you’ll be healthier, stronger, and more in control.

Need help with your stress, movement, or overall health plan? I offer personalized programs to support your journey.🌐 Visit: www.healthandexerciseprescriptions.com📧 Email: healthybellingham@hotmail.com

Stay strong, stay grounded, Jaime J. Hernandez Health and Exercise Prescriptions®

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