(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
Both
components of the stress response (cortisol and the “fight or flight”
response) will continue, rather than diminishing, if the brain
perceives that the threat to survival (“stressor”) still exists. This
is a key point because our mindset can affect whether we perceive that
a threat actually exists and/or persists. You’ll notice that many
stressors are not actual threats to survival, although they are
stresses to our comfort levels. Without being aware of it, we may be
automatically (unconsciously or “mindlessly”) MISPERCEIVING or
MISINTERPRETING a stressor as more threatening. Our thoughts themselves
can trigger and perpetuate the stress response. (such as the thought
“oh no, my boss frowned at me, he must be angry or disappointed in me I
wonder if my job is on the line” or “oh no, that guy just cut me off in
traffic, I better close the gap and ride his bumper to show him that
wasn’t cool and not let anyone else cut me off” or “oh no, the power
just went out; I bet it will stay out for days,” etc.) Our emotions can
also trigger the stress response, especially uncomfortable emotions
such as fear, anger, loneliness, boredom, restlessness, and shame even
if we are not paying attention to the emotion.
This
is where mindfulness comes in. When we are able to be aware (mindful)
of what our mind is thinking, sensing and feeling we can notice if the
threatening thoughts are realistic and if they are serving a useful
purpose. Are they helping us survive? Or are they over-reactions which
are causing us to have chronically elevated stress hormones and harming
our health? When the latter is true, what can we about it?