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“ May your walls know joy , may every room hold laughter , and every window open to great possibility .”
– MARY ANNE RADMACHER
Understanding how stress activates their amygdala or fight / flight reaction due to the flow of cortisol , adrenaline , and glucagon helps my clients better understand the impacts of stress on their bodies , thoughts , emotions , and behavior .
These stress hormones are helpful if you need to fight off danger or quickly run away from it , but not when you freeze . When that happens those once helpful chemicals become toxic and negatively impact your health and wellbeing .
If you are unable to regulate your nervous system due to chronic stress , an overscheduled calendar , unending to do lists , and being tethered to your phone alerting you to dangers across the world , learning to nourish your nervous system will feel liberating and transformative .
One empowering strategy I teach my clients to begin settling and nourishing their nervous systems is to tend and befriend .
This theory was coined by psychology professor , Shelly Taylor , and focuses on the healing power of making connections and asking for help to overcome challenges .
What is remarkable is that when you experience stress , you can use empathy , compassion , and connection to move out of your amygdala into your prefrontal cortex to settle your nervous system and regain your ability to respond instead of reacting to challenges .
The added gift of engaging in this strategy is the release of the hormone , oxytocin , which provides the feeling of oneness you experience when you feel loved and trusting . It is also called the hug or love hormone since it is released when you hug or tend to someone you love . This amazing hormone
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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