Stress hormones

During an acute stress situation, the body produces stress hormones. They stimulate reflexes, they increase heart rate and blood pressure, and they ensure that extra energy is released in the muscles so that you can react to the situation by ‘flight’ or ‘fight’. The main three stress hormones are cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. All three of these hormones are released by the adrenal gland. Stress hormones are very useful during an acute stress situation.

Nowadays we experience stress more and more often and for longer that our body thinks that we are in danger. As a result, our bodies produce the stress hormones too often or for too long, which can lead to various conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, fatigue and depression.