There are many pathways via which emotional experience can impact our physical health but experts in this area separate the physical impacts of stress (when it’s prolonged or chronic) from the (less understood) impacts of trauma (especially on the developing) system.

STRESS

The fight or flight response evolved to prepare the body for times of threat, but doesn’t differentiate between physical threat (tiger) and emotional threat (THAT email)…..meaning that prolonged or repeated worry, chronic frustration, persistent anger or constant fear…. trigger the same physiological defenses as would a dangerous snake, an attacker or a fierce lion.

You can compare the impact of stress on the immune system to overuse of the breaks of a car, which, designed for sudden, brief situations, become worn down when repeatedly applied, leaving them much less effective.

This overuse tires and dis-regulates the system, and can literally:

❗️”wear out” muscles, arteries and veins of the heart, leading to disease and hypertension.

❗️use up precious energy which would otherwise be used by the immune system, or

❗️overstimulate the immune system causing “attacks” leading to autoimmune disease.

❗️Cause inflammation of targeted areas such as in conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or IBS.

TRAUMA

The impact of trauma is less well understood. One theory links back to the “freeze” response.

When we are in a situation where fight/ flight hasn’t/ won’t work and we shut down as a last attempt for survival, the energy that would normally be discharged through running or fighting is trapped. While the sympathetic system continues to activate the body with chemical alarm signals, the parasympathetic system tries to counter this by secreting cortisol to gentle the fight or flight response. Neither can win but both keep trying and the overproduction of hormones from either system can lead to disease via maladaptations to the immune and endocrine system.

In reality – these processes are more accurately understood on a continuum, rather than as two separate pathways. How exactly it manifests person to person depends on individual genetics, experience, interpretations and available resources.

These processes can be compassionately illuminated and gently slowed and reversed via mind-body practices both in and out of formal therapy.