| Physiological Change from a Healthy Stress Response | Physiological Change from Prolonged Stress |
| Muscle tension | Fatigue, muscle aches, chronic pain, headaches, migraine, jaw clenching, teeth grinding |
| Increased strength and aggression | Anger, frustration, irritability, short fuse, impatience, uncompromising, negative thinking, depression |
| Heightened alertness and vigilance | Insomnia, obsessive thinking, anxiety, restlessness, can’t switch off, can’t listen, confusion, worry, poor concentration |
| Increased respiratory rate | Chest tightness, hyperventilation, panic, asthma & other respiratory conditions |
| Increased heart rate & blood pressure | Hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, stroke |
| Decreased digestive function | Type II diabetes, IBS, ulcers, stomach acid, constipation, weight loss, weight gain, fatigue, dullness, lethargy, low motivation |
| Reduced immune function | Impaired immune function: increased allergic reactions, inflammation, illness & disease |
A healthy stress response is short, specific to the threat and balanced by periods of rest and recovery. It enables us to meet the challenges of life. Prolonged stress is harmful to our physical AND psychological health. The good news is we can begin to reverse this process by activating our in-built stress-reduction mechanism: the relaxation response.