Historical and clinical considerations of the relaxation response. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 145-173.ĢBenson, H., Kotch, J. The neurobiology of stress and development.

It lowers the stress hormone levels and lowers blood pressure.ġGunnar, M., & Quevedo, K. Adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla behave as independent organs and secrete into bloodstream different hormones. Benson2 termed the relaxation response, which is a “physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress.” The relaxation response works in the opposite way of the fight-or-flight response. This can be achieved by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to elicit what Dr. Learning to relax can play a tremendous difference in alleviating stress. It is important to get it back to its baseline. When the stress response (flight/fight response) is activated. Cortisol helps the body to maintain steady supplies of blood sugar. The hypothalamus, which is a brain structure associated with emotional reactions, such as fear responds to stress by activating the pituitary gland, which in turn secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that activates the adrenal glands to release the hormone corticosteroid. This increases heart, sweating, blood pressure, and breathing rates. Research1 has shown when an individual appraises a situation as being stressful, the adrenal medulla releases the hormone adrenaline, which prepares the body for a fight or flight response.

Adrenal medulla stress response