The seven brain chemicals that help you deal with stress and anxiety

Leigh D Wilson

Master Executive Therapeutic Mindset Coach & Author- I help successful 6 & 7+ business owners & other professionals quickly SMASH through their unconscious barriers to skyrocket their INCOME & SUCCESS/

Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just plain stressed out? You’re not alone. But what if I told you that understanding a bit about the chemicals swirling around in your brain could help you take control? Let’s break it down.

Stress: Your Brain’s Emergency Kit

Cortisol: Often labelled as the “bad guy,” cortisol is actually your body’s quick-response mechanism. It gears you up to face challenges, ramping up your energy and focus. However, if cortisol overstays its welcome—that’s when you start feeling burned out.
Adrenaline and Norepinephrine: These are your body’s emergency sirens. They put you on high alert, making you hyper-aware of your surroundings. But remember, being on high alert for too long can exhaust you.
Dopamine: Think of dopamine as your brain’s motivator. In small doses, it helps you focus and make quick decisions under stress. But too much can make you feel overworked and depleted.

The Calm After the Storm

Serotonin: This is the peacekeeper of your brain. Low levels can make you feel anxious and unsettled. But when balanced, serotonin brings that blissful feeling of well-being and happiness.
Oxytocin: Dubbed the “love hormone,” it’s released when you hug someone or share a heartfelt conversation. Oxytocin is your body’s natural antidote to stress.
Endorphins: Ever felt euphoric after a workout? That’s endorphins at work. They’re natural mood lifters and can counterbalance the effects of stress.
GABA: Consider this as your body’s natural chill pill. It puts the brakes on overthinking and anxiety, making you feel calm and centred.

The Takeaway

Recognizing these chemicals and what they do can give you a fighting chance against stress and anxiety. Here’s a quick action plan:

Combat Cortisol: Deep breathing exercises and mindfulness can lower cortisol levels. Take a few moments to focus on your breath when stress piles up.
Balance Dopamine: Take regular breaks when working on stressful tasks. It helps to reset your dopamine levels.
Boost Serotonin and Oxytocin: Spend quality time with loved ones or engage in activities that make you happy.
Activate Endorphins and GABA: Regular exercise and meditation can help release these natural stress-busters.

So, the next time you’re feeling stressed, remember that you have the power to influence your brain chemistry. Empower yourself with this knowledge and turn those stressful days into opportunities for growth and balance.

If stress is a problem for you, you might like to take this free and confidential simple inner struggles self-assessment to get some measure of how much it is affecting you.

Here is the URL for this self-assessment:
https://stresstest.executivebreakthrough.com/reg

I’m not sure how long that I will be able to leave this this self-assessment up there, so check it out while you can.

Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you would like to discuss the results of your self-assessment in more detail, or any other issues that are troubling you at this time.

#feelingstuck #selfdoubt #worry #stress #anxiety #selfconfidence #overwhelm #procrastination #burnout

Book a FREE Strategy Call with Leigh D Wilson

Click Here

Check out these products...

Find more of my self-help products in my Shop. Click HERE

Five signs you might need to focus on emotional healing

Leigh D Wilson November 28, 2023

What is emotional healing? It’s the process by which you recover emotionally and mentally from a negative life experience. You can’t keep tough times from appearing in your life. When you are emotionally healthy and balanced, you deal with those difficult situations that inevitably pop up, and you can move on with your life.

Would you take up my offer?

Leigh D Wilson November 16, 2023

You can think of your subconscious mind as the world’s most powerful biological supercomputer, far more advanced than any man-made technology.

How powerful is the unconscious mind?

Leigh D Wilson November 7, 2023

You can think of your subconscious mind as the world’s most powerful biological supercomputer, far more advanced than any man-made technology.

Is a lack of confidence keeping you stuck?

Leigh D Wilson November 3, 2023

Is a lack of confidence keeping you stuck, putting a ceiling on your career?

In the early parts of our career, we are often working alone or in very small groups doing our thing and so confidence doesn’t really loom as a significant matter.

But as we rise up through the ranks, we can be called upon to speak up at larger meetings, address big events, have difficult conversations with clients or customers etc.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall

Leigh D Wilson October 26, 2023

Life is full of ups and downs and so this quote serves as a reminder that our real strength is shown not by avoiding problems, but by picking ourselves up and moving forward when we do face tough times.

Is self-doubt keeping you stuck?

Leigh D Wilson October 24, 2023

Self-doubt can feel like a quiet but impassable roadblock, often appearing when as we consider new ventures or stepping outside familiar boundaries. It’s like a voice whispering, “Maybe this isn’t for you,” or “What if you fail?” This doubt makes us feel stuck, like we’re standing at the edge of new possibilities but held back by invisible chains. It’s a frustrating weight, filled with fear and uncertainty.

Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 3?

Leigh D Wilson October 20, 2023

Now let’s wrap up this series on ‘Is chronic stress doing this to YOUR brain?’ with actionable steps to help you dealing with it. While stress can make your world seem like a grayscale painting, the good news is that there are scientifically-backed methods to bring the colour back into your life.

Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 2?

Leigh D Wilson October 19, 2023

Chronic stress isn’t just a one-off villain; it can set the stage for long-term issues like depression, a condition so debilitating it’s one of the leading causes of disability around the globe. If you’ve been depressed once, you’re also at a higher risk of falling back into it, especially when stress re-enters the picture.

Is chronic stress doing this to your brain – Part 1?

Leigh D Wilson October 18, 2023

Perhaps surprisingly, a small dose of stress can be beneficial; it helps you grow and become more resilient. However, when stress becomes a chronic condition—perhaps due to work-related stress, financial problems, a relationship breakdown, a family loss, or enduring harassment—it’s crucial to address it immediately.

What should I do when I feel stuck in my work

Leigh D Wilson October 15, 2023

When you feel stuck in your work, it’s like navigating a maze with no clear path forward. The frustration, stress, and self-doubt can be paralyzing, but there are actionable steps you can take to regain your momentum and find your way to success.

Please note that, at times, I provide links to free and paid products that you might find useful as you strive for greater success in your work or business life.

I also recommend resources by others that you might find of value. It is important to mention that I only recommend products that I have had satisfactory, or better, personal experience with or, otherwise have good reason to recommend them.

Please note that some of these links are affiliate links, in which case I might receive some form of remuneration if you purchase the product using my link. While this will not add to your cost, any payments received in this way will assist in keeping this site running to help people such as yourself.

Book a FREE Introductory Chat with Leigh D Wilson