#9 What is Stress and does our body adapt to Stress?
Did You Know?
What is Stress and how does our body adapt to stress?
Stresses are changes in your internal or external environment that require changes in your body in order for your body to adapt successfully. What makes adaptation to stress possible? Gray’s Anatomy says that “it is the purpose of the brain and nervous system to control and coordinate the function of all the tissues and organs of the body and to adapt them to the environment.” Adaptation is possible because you have a nervous system.
Let’s use a simple example of a change in your environment. Imagine walking into a very cold room. How does your brain become aware that the temperature is suddenly very cold? Sensory nerves signal the brain of the temperature change. Your brain analyzes and processes that information. Is the cold temperature a potential danger to your health and survival? Of course, we all know about hypothermia. The brain then sends signals through your autonomic nerves to the glands of the skin to produce “goose bumps” which insulate your body from heat loss. The brain also sends signals through your motor nerves to your muscles to produce “shivering” which produces heat. The nervous system responded to the stress of cold and adapted by providing mechanisms that would ensure the health and survival of your body.