The body's reaction – fight or flight

It is important to know what our body is telling us when we are stressed so we can do something about it.

Symptoms

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased breathing
• Butterflies in stomach
• Urgency to use toilet
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Increased sweating
• Headaches
• Weakness in legs
• Aches and pains in muscles
• Pins and needles
• Shaky muscles
• Blurred vision

Physical cause

• Adrenaline increases your heart and breathing rate to carry oxygen and energy to the muscles ready for action.
• Blood and energy are diverted away from your digestive system to your muscles.
• Body fluids such as saliva are redirected into the bloodstream
• Skin sweats to cool the hot working muscles.
• Muscles tense ready to react faster.
• Calcium is released from tense muscles.
• Vision sharpens for a short period.