Change Your Physiology And Change The Way You Feel

Author: James Conlon

“Small changes can have big effects”.

Stress and anxiety are two common reasons that clients contact me. These negative emotions can have a profound effect on their lives, careers and relationships. This article explains several quick, simple and effective techniques that anyone can implement, to challenge negative emotions and build a resilient mindset.

When we experience emotions our brain chemistry changes which in turn can trigger physiological changes. For example fear. When we experience danger, our brains trigger what is known as the stress or ‘fight or flight response’. Adrenaline and cortisol are produced and released into the bloodstream. These stress hormones cause our bodies to undergo several, rapid physiological changes. Our heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rates increase to provide our bodies with the energy and oxygen that may be needed to rapidly respond to the danger. Blood is diverted from major organs such as the stomach to our muscles. When facing imminent danger, digesting food is not a priority. However, being able to run faster and for longer is. These changes ensure we are at our peak, physical condition to meet the threat.

For the most part, the fight or flight response is highly beneficial to us. It keeps us safe. But there are times when it can be unhelpful such as the panic many of us feel just before giving a public presentation.

Well, just as our brain chemistry directly impacts our physiology, our physiology can also impact our brain chemistry. Studies show when people who do not experience anxiety, mimic the physical characteristics of an anxious person, shoulders hunched forward, arms held in front of them, head down with short, shallow breathing, their levels of cortisol and adrenalin increase. Whilst mimicking the physiology of someone confident. Shoulders back, feet apart, chin up with low deep breathing, reduces stress chemicals and increase the levels of serotonin. A chemical that makes us feel happy. Thus by taking on the physical characteristics of confidence, we can trick our brains into producing the necessary brain chemistry to we feel confident.

Other physiology is also known to positively impact brain chemistry;

Smiling – When we smile we automatically feel happy. Try it and see.

Looking up - Where we look can make a difference. When we experience strong emotions we tend to look down. By simply looking up we can decrease the intensity of the emotion.