What is Stress?: A New Way to Understand Stress and the Human System

February 17, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Anne introduces a foundational reframe that underlies the entire Gravity Point® paradigm of prevention: Stress isn’t occasional. Stress is constant.

Most of us have been taught to think of stress as something negative that happens once in a while: work pressure, relationship strain, or overwhelming moments we need to “manage” or “get rid of.” But this limited definition misses the bigger picture.

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Anne explains why stress is not the problem. It’s the inevitable result of change. And because change is constant, stress is woven into every moment of being alive.

You’ll learn:

- What stress actually is (and why it's not the enemy)

- What the body–mind–relationship system really is and how it processes change

- 20 distinct stress responses (beyond fight, flight, and freeze)

- The difference between vital stress (what happens to you) and vicarious stress (what happens through you) and why this matters for sensitive people

- The stress response cycle: Feel, Think, Act, Impact This episode also explores why witnessing suffering, conflict, or chaos can dysregulate your nervous system and create unresolved stress just as deeply as direct personal stress, and why conventional models often fail to account for this.

Our systems are designed to mirror the experience of others. This is especially important for empaths, helpers, healers, and highly sensitive or neurodivergent people.

These concepts, stress, stress responses, and the stress response cycle, form the foundation of everything discussed on the Gravity Point® Podcast. Because when the stress response cycle flows, we flourish. And when it gets stuck, that’s when illness, burnout, and disconnection emerge.

FREE RESOURCE:

🎙️ Download the Gravity Point® Guidebook for a clear overview of the 20 stress responses and the full stress response cycle: https://www.gravitypointinstitute.com/free-guidebook?utm_source=apple-spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=002&utm_id=podcast-2026

If this episode resonated, consider rating and reviewing the show or sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps this work reach those who need it most.

Subscribe to the Gravity Point® Podcast for weekly episodes on stress resolution, nervous system regulation, and how to stay happy, healthy, and whole in a constantly changing world.

Learn More about the Gravity Point® Paradigm here: https://www.gravitypointinstitute.com/

Gravity Point® is an educational framework for understanding stress responses. It is not a substitute for medical care, mental health treatment, or therapy.

We respectfully acknowledge that we operate within the unceded ancestral territories of the Nisenan, Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, and Patwin Wintun peoples, and the Wilton Rancheria.

Episode Transcript

WHEN I WAS FIRST TRYING TO MARKET GRAVITY POINT AND
GET IT OUT INTO THE WORLD
I REALLY STRUGGLED LIKE HARD
LIKE REALLY HARD THE WHOLE LIKE
WORLD OF MARKETING REQUIRES THAT YOU BOIL DOWN YOUR AUDIENCE TO ONE
SORT OF PERSON ONE PROBLEM AND OFFER THEM ONE SOLUTION
BUT THAT IS NOT HOW GRAVITY POINT WORKS
IT'S AN ENTIRELY NEW PARADIGM OR LIKE
A WAY OF UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
SO HOW DO YOU POSSIBLY MARKET SOMETHING THAT CAN PROVIDE
SOLUTIONS TO EVERY PERSON
WITH ANY PROBLEM LIKE ALL THE MARKETING TRAINING KEPT SAYING LIKE
BUT WHO IS THIS FOR AND WHAT PROBLEM DOES IT SOLVE
AND I KEPT SAYING IT'S FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS ANY PROBLEM TO SOLVE
AND LIKE TO SAY THE LEAST
IT DID NOT GO OVER WELL IT TOOK A TON OF TRIAL AND ERROR
AND TIME AND ENERGY
REALLY WASTED TRYING TO FIT MY WORK INTO BOXES THAT DID NOT FIT
BEFORE LIKE
I FINALLY REALIZED GRAVITY POINT HELPS EVERYONE WITH ANY PROBLEM
BECAUSE ALL HUMAN PROBLEMS STEM FROM THE SAME ROOT CAUSE STRESS
IN FACT THAT'S WHY I COULD BUILD GRAVITY POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE
AS A TRAUMA SPECIALIST STRESS IS MY GENIUS ZONE
AND STRESS WELL
I MEAN STRESS IS EVERYTHING
SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BREAK DOWN WHAT STRESS ACTUALLY IS
AND WALK YOU THROUGH AN ENTIRELY
NEW FRAMEWORK FOR HOW TO UNDERSTAND IT
WELCOME TO THE GRAVITY POINT PODCAST
I'M YOUR HOST DR. ASHLEY ANNE
I USED TO BE A LICENSED TRAUMA THERAPIST AND UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
BUT EVENTUALLY
I LEFT BOTH BEHIND BECAUSE I REALIZED I DIDN'T WANT TO TREAT ILLNESS
I WANTED TO PREVENT IT
THAT'S WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE TOGETHER ON THIS PODCAST
HOW TO RESOLVE STRESS AND TRAUMA BEFORE IT MAKES YOU SICK
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THE COMPLETE METHOD TO RESOLVE STRESS AND TRAUMA
IN ANY TRIGGERING SITUATION
CLICK THE LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION
TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GRAVITY POINT GUIDEBOOK TODAY
SO STRESS IS EVERYTHING
AND LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I ACTUALLY MEAN BY THAT
SO MOST OF US HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO THINK ABOUT STRESS IN A WAY THAT'S
LIKE A LITTLE INCOMPLETE
WE THINK STRESS IS THAT FEELING WE GET WHEN WE'RE OVERWHELMED AT WORK
OR WE'RE STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR DEALING WITH A DIFFICULT PERSON
LIKE WE'RE EITHER STRESSED OR WE'RE NOT
SO STRESS HAS SORT OF BECOME THIS THING THAT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY
AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO OVERCOME IT IN SOME WAY
AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S LIKE A NEGATIVE THING WE HAVE TO OVERCOME
BUT IF MY RESEARCH HAS TAUGHT ME ANYTHING
IT'S THAT STRESS IS SO MUCH MORE
LIKE SIMPLY PUT STRESS IS CHANGE
MORE SPECIFICALLY
STRESS IS THE PRESSURE THAT OCCURS WHEN AN ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE CHANGES
THAT CHANGE PRESENTS YOU WITH NEW ENERGY
AND REQUIRES YOU TO CHANGE ALONG WITH IT
AND WHEN I SAY CHANGE I MEAN ALL CHANGE
BIG AND SMALL PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IF YOU'RE GETTING A PROMOTION
THAT'S STRESS RIGHT
YOUR BODY HAS TO ADAPT TO NEW ENERGY
IF YOUR KID COMES HOME FROM SCHOOL
THAT'S ALSO STRESS NEW ENERGY JUST ENTERED YOUR ENVIRONMENT
FEELING HUNGRY THAT'S STRESS
YOUR INTERNAL STATE IS CHANGING
RECEIVING A COMPLIMENT STRESS
READING A HARSH COMMENT ONLINE
WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT IS STRESS
SO ANYTIME YOU ENCOUNTER NEW ENERGY THAT PLACES PRESSURE ON YOUR BODY
YOUR MIND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
EVEN LIKE YOUR SPIRIT THAT'S STRESS
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I SAY STRESS IS EVERYTHING
AS LONG AS YOU'RE ALIVE YOU'RE EXPERIENCING CHANGE
SO AND AS LONG AS YOU'RE EXPERIENCING CHANGE
LIKE YOU'RE EXPERIENCING STRESS NOW
BEFORE YOU PANIC AND THINK GREAT
SO LIFE IS JUST ONE BIG STRESSER
I MEAN TECHNICALLY
YES IT IS
BUT THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY A BAD THING
LIKE STRESS ISN'T THE ENEMY
IT'S A BYPRODUCT OF LIVING IN AN EVER CHANGING WORLD
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE SO STRESS IS INEVITABLE TOO
THE REAL QUESTION IS NOT
HOW DO I AVOID STRESS OR HOW DO I ELIMINATE STRESS
OR HOW DO I OVERCOME STRESS
BECAUSE YOU CAN'T
THE REAL QUESTION IS
HOW DO I PROCESS STRESS AND THE CHANGES IT INEVITABLY BRINGS
IN A WAY THAT KEEPS ME HAPPY
HEALTHY AND WHOLE THAT'S THE QUESTION WE ALL NEED TO ASK OURSELVES
AND TO ANSWER THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM ACTUALLY RESPONDS TO STRESS
SO IN THIS PODCAST WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THE BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM A LOT
SO LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO BREAK IT DOWN
MOST OF US HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO THINK ABOUT OUR BODY
MIND AND RELATIONSHIPS AS THREE SEPARATE THINGS RIGHT
YOU HAVE YOUR PHYSICAL BODY
YOU HAVE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR MENTAL WORLD
AND YOU HAVE YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND OBJECTS
BUT THAT SEPARATION RIGHT
LIKE IT'S NOT REAL IT'S NOT ACTUALLY HOW YOUR SYSTEM WORKS
YOUR BODY MIND AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE ONE INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM
WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BODY AFFECTS YOUR MIND AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR MIND AFFECTS YOUR BODY AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
AND WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
DEFINITELY AFFECTS BOTH YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND
SO THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY
WHEN YOUR MIND IS WORRYING
YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR BODY RIGHT
LIKE A TIGHT CHEST YOUR RACING HEART
SHALLOW BREATHING
WHEN YOU'RE IN A TENSE RELATIONSHIP
YOUR THOUGHTS RACE AND YOUR BODY MIGHT CONTRACT
WHEN YOU'RE PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED RIGHT
IN YOUR BODY YOUR MOOD AND YOUR MIND IS DEFINITELY GONNA SHIFT
AND THIS AFFECTS HOW YOU THINK
AND HOW YOU SHOW UP IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH
EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING AROUND YOU
SO YOUR BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM IS CONNECTED BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL CONNECTED
SO WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER STRESS AND SOMETHING CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE
YOUR ENTIRE BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM RESPONDS AND THAT IS A STRESS RESPONSE
SO NOW YOU KNOW THAT STRESS IS CHANGE
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STRESS RESPONSE
WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER STRESS RIGHT
LIKE WHEN SOMETHING CHANGES AND APPLIES THAT PRESSURE
YOUR BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM KICKS INTO GEAR BY USING A STRESS RESPONSE
NOW A STRESS RESPONSE IS A WAY OF FEELING
THINKING AND ACTING TO HELP YOU RESPOND TO SITUATIONS AS THEY CHANGE
SO YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF FIGHT
FLIGHT AND FREEZE MAYBE EVEN FAWN OR TEND AND BEFRIEND
LIKE THOSE ARE STRESS RESPONSES
BUT IN THE GRAVITY POINT MODEL
THERE ARE ACTUALLY 20
STRESS RESPONSES THAT I PULLED OUT OF THE RESEARCH
SO YOU CAN GET A SUMMARY OF ALL OF THEM
BY CLICKING THE LINK IN THE SHOW NOTES
AND THERE YOU'LL FIND THE FREE GRAVITY POINT GUIDEBOOK
NOW WE'RE GONNA DIVE IN DEEPER
INTO THE 20 STRESS RESPONSES IN FUTURE EPISODES
BUT FOR NOW JUST KNOW THAT YOUR SYSTEM HAS WAY MORE TOOLS
AVAILABLE FOR RESPONDING TO STRESS
THAN JUST FIGHT FLIGHT AND FREEZE
EACH OF THESE 20 STRESS RESPONSES CREATES A SPECIFIC PATTERN OF ENERGY
IN YOUR BODY THOUGHTS IN YOUR MIND AND ACTIONS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
SO AS ENERGY MOVES THROUGH YOUR BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM IT CREATES THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
SO STRESS IS CHANGE
AND THE PRESSURE IT PUTS ON YOU TO CHANGE ALONG WITH IT RIGHT
A STRESS RESPONSE IS A WAY OF FEELING
THINKING AND ACTING
AND THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE IS THE CONSTANT PROCESS OF FEELING
THINKING
AND ACTING SO THAT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE
NOW THAT WE'VE DEFINED THESE EXPERIENCES
WE CAN ACTUALLY BREAK DOWN THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE STEP BY STEP
SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT AND SEE IT IN YOUR OWN LIFE
SO LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING
THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE ALWAYS STARTS THE SAME WAY
SOMETHING CHANGES
AND WE CALL THIS A TRIGGERING SITUATION BECAUSE IT TRIGGERS STRESS
RIGHT SO
A TRIGGERING SITUATION
IS ANY CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE YOU ENCOUNTER NEW ENERGY
AND NEED TO ADAPT
NOW HERE'S SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT
THESE SITUATIONS RIGHT
TRIGGERING SITUATIONS UNFOLD IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS
THEY EITHER HAPPEN DIRECTLY TO YOU IN WHAT I CALL A VITAL SITUATION
OR THEY HAPPEN INDIRECTLY THROUGH YOU AS A VICARIOUS SITUATION
SO VITAL SITUATIONS HAPPEN DIRECTLY TO YOU
YOUR HOUSE FLOODS YOU LOSE YOUR JOB
YOU GET HURT THESE SITUATIONS IMPACT YOUR BODY
YOUR SAFETY AND YOUR RESOURCES
THEY'RE LIKE VITAL TO YOUR SURVIVAL AND WELL BEING
ON THE OTHER HAND VICARIOUS SITUATIONS HAPPEN THROUGH YOU
YOU WITNESS SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE FLOOD
YOU HEAR A FRIEND DESCRIBE LOSING THEIR JOB
YOU WATCH FOOTAGE OF SOMEBODY ELSE GETTING HURT
SO HERE'S SOMETHING I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON
IN THIS PODCAST YOUR ENTIRE BODY
MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PICK UP ON THE STRESS OF OTHERS
IT MATTERS A LOT
SO WHEN I BUILT THE GRAVITY POINT MODELS OF STRESS
I MADE SURE THAT WE HONOR BOTH DIRECT AND VITAL AND INDIRECT
OR VICARIOUS STRESS BOTH OF THEM EQUALLY
BECAUSE I MYSELF AM AN EXTREMELY SENSITIVE
DEEPLY EMPATHIC PERSON AND IF I'M BEING COMPLETELY HONEST
FOR MOST OF MY LIFE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT
I SPENT DECADES THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME
LIKE BECAUSE I WAS COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED IN GROUPS
LIKE I'D HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE AND LEAVE FEELING EXHAUSTED
I'D WATCH THE NEWS FOR 10 MINUTES
AND FEEL LIKE AN ENTIRE WORLD WAS ENDING
LIKE NOT JUST BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED
BUT MY BODY WOULD BE FILLED WITH SUCH HEAVINESS AND DREAD
AND LET ME TELL YOU AT THE BEGINNING OF MY CAREER
WHEN I WAS DOING TRAUMA THERAPY FOR
YOU KNOW 6 TO 8 HOURS EVERY SINGLE WEEKDAY
IT NOT ONLY BURNT ME OUT BUT IT ACTUALLY MADE ME REALLY SICK
NOBODY COULD EXPLAIN WHAT WAS GOING ON FOR ME
SO AFTER DOING A TON OF RESEARCH ON MY OWN
I REALIZED I WASN'T BEING OVERLY SENSITIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE'S PAIN
I WAS MIRRORING IT
SO MIRRORING IS THE PROCESS WHERE YOUR MIRROR NEURONS
RIGHT LIKE A
THE SPECIALIZED CELLS IN YOUR BRAIN
DETECT INFORMATION FROM ANOTHER PERSON'S NERVOUS SYSTEM
AND AUTOMATICALLY CREATE SIMILAR SENSATIONS IN YOUR OWN BODY
SO WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE IN PAIN
YOUR BODY ACTUALLY CREATES SENSATIONS OF PAIN
WHEN YOU'RE AROUND SOMEONE WHO'S ANGRY
YOUR BODY MIRRORS THAT ANGER
AND THEN WHEN YOU WITNESS SOMEONE'S JOY
YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL LIGHTNESS AND EXPANSION
SO WE HUMANS WE'RE KIND OF LIKE ALL CONTAGIONS
LIKE OUR STRESS AND OUR STRESS RESPONSE
AND OUR STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
IS CONSTANTLY BEING PASSED FROM ONE ANOTHER
BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT CONVENTIONAL STRESS MODELS RIGHT
THE ONES THAT ONLY TALKED ABOUT FIGHT
FLIGHT AND FREEZE NONE OF THE MODELS ACCOUNTED FOR MIRRORING
NONE OF THEM EXPLAINED
THAT WITNESSING SOMEONE ELSE SUFFER COULD DYSREGULATE ME
JUST AS MUCH AS IF I WERE SUFFERING MYSELF
AT LEAST NOT TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
THAT WAS THE PIECE THAT I KEPT MISSING
I SAW THAT MIRRORING WAS IN SOME OF THE MODELS
BUT I KEPT ASKING WELL
SO WHAT WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL OF THIS MIRRORED STRESS
SO WHEN I BUILT THE GRAVITY POINT STRESS MODELS
I MADE SURE
THAT VICARIOUS STRESS WAS TREATED WITH THE SAME WEIGHT AND IMPORTANCE
AS VITAL STRESS
SO FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME AND MAYBE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU
VICARIOUS STRESS ISN'T SOME MINOR SIDE EFFECT
IT'S A CONSTANT
DAILY REALITY THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND RESOLVED AND PROCESSED
JUST AS MUCH AS THE STRESS THAT HAPPENS DIRECTLY TO US
BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING
OUR SYSTEM DOESN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SENSATIONS THAT ORIGINATE
WITHIN US AND SENSATIONS WE'VE MIRRORED FROM SOMEONE ELSE
BOTH TRIGGER THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
AND UNDERSTANDING VITAL AND VICARIOUS STRESS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT
FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE HELPERS
AND HEALERS AND LEADERS
AND LIGHT WORKERS
PARENTS EMPATHS
HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE OR FOLKS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT
LIKE WE TEND TO EXPERIENCE VICARIOUS STRESS MORE INTENSELY THAN OTHERS
SO WE ABSORB OTHER PEOPLE'S DYSREGULATION MORE READILY
AND IF WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROCESS THAT VICARIOUS STRESS
IT IS GONNA ACCUMULATE IN OUR SYSTEM JUST LIKE VICARIOUS STRESS DOES
SO THE TAKEAWAY HERE IS THAT TRIGGERING SITUATIONS CAN BE BOTH VITAL
HAPPENING TO YOU DIRECTLY AND VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU
SO YOUR STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
CAN BE TRIGGERED EQUALLY BY SITUATIONS THAT HAPPEN TO YOU
GONNA SAY IT AGAIN VITAL SITUATIONS RIGHT
OR SITUATIONS THAT HAPPEN THROUGH YOU
VICARIOUS SITUATIONS
NOW WHETHER STRESS IS VITAL OR VICARIOUS
YOUR BODY MIND
RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM PROCESSES IT THE SAME WAY
THROUGH THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
SO LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE
AND IN THE GRAVITY POINT MODEL
WE BREAK DOWN THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE INTO FOUR DIFFERENT PHASES
FEEL THINK
ACT AND IMPACT I'LL USE AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE
SO IMAGINE YOU'RE AT A COFFEE SHOP OR WHEREVER YOU FREQUENT RIGHT
AND SOMEONE CUTS IN FRONT OF YOU IN LINE
THIS IS A VITAL SITUATION
IT'S HAPPENING DIRECTLY TO YOU
THIS CHANGE PUTS PRESSURE ON YOUR SYSTEM
IT'S THE STRESS OF A TRIGGERING SITUATION
FROM THERE YOUR STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE KICKS INTO GEAR
FIRST YOU GO THROUGH THAT FIRST PHASE OF FEEL
YOUR BODY IMMEDIATELY RESPONDS UNCONSCIOUSLY AND INSTINCTIVELY
SO MAYBE YOU FEEL HEAT RISING IN YOUR CHEST
OR THERE'S TENSION IN YOUR JAW OR OTHER MUSCLES
START TO ACTIVATE THESE SENSATIONS
ARE YOUR 20 STRESS RESPONSES
ACTIVATING TO GIVE YOU THE ENERGY YOU NEED TO RESPOND
SECOND YOU'RE GONNA THINK
SO YOUR MIND IS THEN GONNA CREATE A STORY
TO MAKE SENSE OF THOSE SENSATIONS
MAYBE YOU THINK THAT WAS RUDE
THEY SAW ME STANDING THERE
OR MAYBE YOU THINK THEY MUST BE IN A RUSH
MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ME
FROM THERE
THE THIRD PHASE UNFOLDS AND THAT'S GONNA INFORM YOUR ACTIONS
SO ACT NEXT YOU'RE GONNA TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION
AND THAT ACTION WILL BE ENTIRELY BASED ON THE STORY
YOU WROTE IN YOUR MIND SO IF YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS RUDE
THEY SAW ME STANDING THERE
YOU MIGHT SPEAK UP AND SAY HEY
EXCUSE ME I WAS HERE FIRST
BUT IF YOUR STORY WAS THEY MAY BE IN A RUSH
MAYBE THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ME
YOU MIGHT LET IT GO AND STAY QUIET
THE FINAL PHASE IS IMPACT
SO WHETHER YOUR ACTION WAS ACTIVE OR PASSIVE
IT'S GONNA MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE SITUATION
IF YOU SPOKE UP THE OTHER PERSON MIGHT APOLOGIZE AND STEP BACK
OR MAYBE THEY'LL IGNORE YOU OR YOU KNOW
MAYBE THINGS WILL ESCALATE AND THE BARISTA HAS TO STEP IN
WHO KNOWS RIGHT
IF YOU SAY NOTHING
YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRULY LET IT GO AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR DAY
OR YOUR MUSCLES MIGHT STAY TENSE
YOUR MIND MIGHT STAY ANGRY
AND YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO INTERACT WITH ANYONE ELSE FOR THE REST OF
THE DAY OR YOU MIGHT TAKE IT OUT ON THE NEXT PERSON YOU INTERACT WITH
WHO KNOWS RIGHT
SO WHATEVER HAPPENS IS GONNA CREATE A NEW SITUATION
EVEN WHEN YOU SEEMINGLY DO NOTHING
AND THIS IS GONNA TRIGGER A NEW ROUND OF FEELINGS
THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS SO THIS IS YOUR STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
IT'S A PROCESS THAT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY
ALL DAY LONG IN RESPONSE TO EVERY CHANGE YOU ENCOUNTER
WHETHER THAT CHANGE HAPPENS DIRECTLY TO YOU OR VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU
SO
LET'S WRAP UP BY BRINGING THIS ALL TOGETHER WITH SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS
HERE'S THE MAJOR REFRAME
STRESS ISN'T OCCASIONAL IT'S CONSTANT
IT'S EVERY CHANGE YOU ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE
YOU HAVE 20 STRESS RESPONSES YOU CAN USE TO COPE WITH STRESS
NOT JUST FIGHT FLIGHT AND FREEZE AND YOUR STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
THIS FEEL THINK ACT FLOW
IS YOUR SYSTEM'S WAY OF PROCESSING THE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE
SO THESE CONCEPTS STRESS
STRESS RESPONSES AND THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE
FORM THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING WE'LL TALK ABOUT ON THIS PODCAST
BECAUSE ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT STRESS ACTUALLY IS AND HOW YOUR BODY
MIND RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM PROCESSES IT
YOU START TO GET THE PICTURE
THAT RESOLVING STRESS IS ACTUALLY AT THE HEART OF LIVING A HAPPY
HEALTHY WHOLE LIFE IT REALLY IS EVERYTHING
STRESS IS RELATED TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE WILL EVER ENCOUNTER
AND WHEN THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE IS FLOWING WELL
WE'RE GONNA FLOURISH BUT WHEN THE STRESS RESPONSE CYCLE GETS STUCK
THAT'S WHEN WE GET SICK
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GONNA EXPLORE MORE IN THE NEXT EPISODE
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TODAY
IF WHAT YOU LEARNED HERE RESONATED WITH YOU
I'D BE SO HONORED IF YOU'D RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW
TO HELP US GET THIS MESSAGE OUT INTO THE WORLD
AND IF YOU FEEL CALLED PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND
UNTIL NEXT TIME TAKE CARE OF YOU
LIKE I MENTIONED
IF YOU WANT TO START RESOLVING STRESS AND TRAUMA RIGHT NOW
CLICK THE LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE
GRAVITY POINT GUIDEBOOK
THE GRAVITY POINT PODCAST IS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ASHLEY ANNE
AND PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY PRESENCE MEDIA
LEARN MORE AT GRAVITY POINT INSTITUTE.COM

What is Stress?: A New Way to Understand Stress and the Human System

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