In this lesson, we’re going to talk about the stress response—not in medical jargon, but in a way that makes sense to your lived experience.
At its core, the stress response is your body’s survival system. It’s designed to help you respond to danger, pressure, or demand, and then return to balance once the threat has passed.
When stress is short-lived, this system works beautifully. You rise to the occasion, and then you recover.
The problem arises when stress is constant—when there is no clear signal of safety or completion.
Instead of cycling between activation and rest, the body stays in a state of readiness. Over time, this can feel like exhaustion layered with alertness—tired, but unable to switch off.
Understanding this is important, because it reframes your symptoms. What you’re experiencing is not a lack of willpower or resilience—it’s a system that hasn’t had the chance to fully stand down.
Workbook Prompts
- When you’re under stress, where do you feel it first in your body?
- Do you notice difficulty “switching off,” even when you want to rest?
- What signs tell you your body is on high alert?