The irony of the stress response is that it evolved in physical environments very different from the social and psychological ones of today. Instead of being stalked by a saber-toothed tiger, today it's a tailgating SUV, approaching final exam, or the terrorist alert level rising to orange.
Your heart pounds, chest heaves, muscles tighten. Senses sharpen, time slips into slow motion, and you become impervious to pain. Under certain conditions, this would be an appropriate healthy reaction, because now you are prepared to do battle. The trouble is, however, that you are probably still sitting in your car or at your desk – stewing in your own juices.
It’s time to relieve your stress. Here you will find a variety of techniques and fascinating studies to help you manage stress in your daily life.
Friendly Interactions Release Hormones and Pheromones-StudyHormones are potent "local" chemicals that travel throughout your body to help regulate metabolism and behavior. Hormone means to set in motion, excite, stimulate. You also produce similar "long distance" chemicals called pheromones, which work outside the body and can affect the hormones of others. Pherein means to bring, to bear along. Your pheromones can excite, or even calm, others.
Researchers at the University of Zurich observed that a friend's supportive presence may work with hormones in the body to reduce stress. Men were less stressed when their best friend was present or when they were given a nasal of dose of oxytocin, an anti-stress hormone. Just the presence of a best friend, however, was better than oxytocin alone at reducing stress.
Friendship Benefits Brain Health-Studies
Friends who make you laugh are one of life's greatest blessings. Here's where the right social network pays off. One of the most important anti-stress coping skills is to develop a social support system, including pets
