HEY BABE I KNOW THINGS ARE STRESSFUL HOW TO

A prenatal and early childhood brain is growing, developing and absorbing so much of what it is exposed to in the environment. The younger the brain, the more damaging the effects of toxic stress. The long-term effects will differ depending on the age of the person and the stage of brain development they are at when they are exposed to the stress. Toxic stress affects people across all stages of the life span. The brain continues working, but it’s rate of growth slows right down, creating a vulnerability to anxiety, depression and less resilience to stress. When the brain is constantly exposed to a toxic environment, it will shut down to protect itself from that environment. The relationship doesn’t have to be with a parent – any adult can make a powerful difference. A prime conditions for this happening is when there is no loving, supportive, attentive relationship to buffer the impact. The stress from these doesn’t have to turn toxic but it can. The fallout from physical or emotional abuse and neglect is obvious, but then there are the more indirect hits, such as chronic conflict in the home, a parent battling addiction, maternal depression, or serious illness. When stress is managed in the context of loving, stable and caring relationships, where children feel safe and secure, they can get through stressful, traumatic times without scarring.

HEY BABE I KNOW THINGS ARE STRESSFUL HOW TO

It is through stressful times that kids learn resilience, determination, optimism and how to soothe themselves when things start to get tough. For children though, a little goes a long way. It’s a very normal and healthy part of being human.

Toxic stress isn’t so much about the cause of the stress, but about the chronic and ongoing nature of the stress.Įveryone will experience stress. When this happens, the stress becomes toxic and can cause dramatic changes in the brain and body – but there are ways to heal. In a chronically stressful environment, the body’s stress response is always on – there is very little relief from the surge of chemicals and the increase in heart rate and blood pressure. When the cortisol is turned on and off quickly, it energises, enhances certain types of memory, and sets the immune system to go. In the right doses, the cortisol (the stress hormone) that surges through the body in times of stress will help us to perform at our peak. In short, the physiological changes that come with stress are to give us the physical resources to deal with whatever might break our stride.īut – the stress response was only ever meant to happen for brief periods of time. In times of stress, our heart beats faster, our blood pressure increases, and adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormone) surge through our system to make us stronger, faster, more alert and more powerful versions of our normal selves. The physiological response to stress is hardwired into all of us and is evolution’s way of keeping us alive. Stress is a normal part of life, and so is our response to it.

Hey babe i know things are stressful