What is the Origin of Physiological Stress Management?

This term merges "physiological," referring to the body's function; "stress," the body's reaction to a challenge; and "management," the control of a situation. It is a core tenet of clinical health psychology and endocrinology, recognizing that chronic, unmanaged stress is a primary driver of hormonal dysfunction and disease. The goal is to shift from distress to eustress.

What is the Mechanism of Physiological Stress Management?

Management strategies, such as controlled breathing or targeted exercise, work by rapidly shifting the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic dominance to parasympathetic tone. Over time, this training increases heart rate variability (HRV), a key metric of resilience, and reduces the chronic overproduction of cortisol. This neuroendocrine training improves the feedback sensitivity of the HPA axis, leading to a healthier hormonal response profile.

Physiological Stress Management ∞ Area

Physiological Stress Management

Meaning

The deliberate application of techniques and interventions designed to enhance the body’s capacity to tolerate, adapt to, and recover from various forms of physical and mental stressors. This management focuses on modulating the acute stress response and strengthening the underlying systems, particularly the HPA axis and the autonomic nervous system. Effective stress management is fundamental for maintaining hormonal equilibrium.