What is the scientific process behind feelings of stress? An explanation of what happens in our bodies when we experience stress can be found here:

• Stress factors or triggers produce persistent tension on our thought processes, causing our brain to send signals to the adrenal glands
• The adrenal glands produce stress hormones (adrenaline). The purpose of the release of adrenaline is to enable our bodies to react quickly to dangerous situations.
• Adrenaline causes our heart rate to accelerate and our blood sugar levels to increase, ensuring a sufficient supply of glucose to the working muscles. The immune system and the body’s reserve energy are also stimulated.
• Mentally, adrenaline can causes feelings of anxiety and fear.
• Over-stimulation of the body’s systems weaken the body in the long run, causing us to be prone to illness. The exhaustion of reserve energy causes us to feel fatigue.
• Effects of prolonged stress include high blood pressure, headaches, infertility in men and irregular menstrual cycles in women.

It is therefore very important to be aware of the the triggers and early signs of stress. Failure to do so will lead to escalating stress levels.