Stress: Balancing the Scales of Well-Being

"Stress is what occurs when a demand or challenge takes us away from balance – away from our regulated 'set points.' When we get out of balance, we become dysregulated and feel discomfort or distress. When we get back into balance, we feel better. Relief of distress – getting back into balance – activates the reward networks in the brain. We feel pleasure when we get back into balance. When we are in balance with our friends, family, our community, society, and nature, we are seeking what we need to be stabilized and regulated."

- Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey

It's the push and pull, the ebb and flow, and the dynamic force that constantly challenges our state of equilibrium. But stress isn't just a foe to be conquered; it's also a friend that helps us grow, develop skills, and build resilience.

The Balancing Act of Stress

Imagine your well-being on a finely tuned scale. At its centre lies a point of balance, where your body and mind naturally thrive. This is your comfort zone, where you feel your best. However, life's demands and challenges often tip the scales, nudging you away from that equilibrium. That's when stress steps in.

When stress pulls you off-centre, it triggers a sense of discomfort or distress. Your body and mind recognize this as a call to action—an invitation to restore balance. Returning to that equilibrium point, you experience a profound sense of relief. It's like finding your way back home after a long journey. This journey back to balance activates reward networks in your brain, and you feel a surge of pleasure and contentment.

It's important to acknowledge that stress isn't the villain in this story; it's a natural demand on your body's systems. Stress is essential for your growth, skill development, and resilience. Think of it as the workout routine for your well-being. Just as lifting weights builds muscle, navigating life's challenges strengthens your ability to cope and adapt.

The Crucial Pattern of Stress Activation

The key to stress lies in its pattern of activation. Inside your brain, a network of core regulatory systems (CRNs) is hard at work, ensuring you maintain balance in the face of stressors. Whether stress has a positive or negative impact depends on how these systems respond.

When stressors emerge, your stress-response systems come to the rescue. You experience the fight, flight or freeze response at one end of the spectrum. Your brain locks onto the perceived threat, filtering out distractions from your body and the world around you. It's all about external focus—the primal instinct to confront danger or flee from it.

On the opposite end of this spectrum lies dissociation, a more complex response. When stress intensifies, some individuals mentally "disappear" from the situation. They retreat into their inner world, detaching from the external environment. Activities like daydreaming are examples of this form of dissociation. While it can serve as a protective mechanism, seeking solace in dissociation may lead to extreme and ultimately destructive coping strategies.

Understanding stress is about recognizing its dual nature: a natural demand that challenges our equilibrium and a powerful force that drives growth and resilience. It reminds us that life's ups and downs are part of a beautiful, ever-evolving journey. Stress is your workout partner in the gym, with the pleasure of rebalancing always worth the effort.