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How The Brain Triggers The Stress Response
- Stress is a subjective survival response triggered when the amygdala signals danger to the hypothalamus.
- That activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and cortisol which sharpen senses, raise heart rate, and mobilize glucose.
Turn Generalized Anxiety Into Specific Problems
- Make generalized anxiety specific by identifying exact worries and practicing targeted techniques.
- Use vertical descent in CBT: take broad dread and break it into concrete, addressable situations to retrain perception.
Cortisol Links Anxiety To Inflammation
- Chronic cortisol release increases inflammation which contributes to disease risk like rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular issues.
- Meditation and mind-body practices can reduce cortisol and systemic inflammation over time.