The clinical and behavioral practice of monitoring, mitigating, and normalizing the physiological impact of chronic psychological or physical stressors by modulating the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Effective management is crucial for preventing the long-term health consequences of excessive glucocorticoid exposure, such as visceral fat accumulation and immune dysregulation.
Origin
This concept evolved from early endocrinology research on the stress response, famously described by Hans Selye, which identified cortisol and catecholamines as the primary mediators. The focus shifted to management with the recognition that modern, chronic stress patterns lead to sustained hormonal imbalance, necessitating proactive intervention.
Mechanism
Management strategies aim to restore the normal diurnal variation of cortisol and reduce the chronic over-secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Interventions include mind-body practices that directly downregulate the HPA axis, targeted nutritional support for adrenal gland function, and optimizing sleep to allow for overnight HPA axis recovery. The goal is to improve the body’s adaptive capacity to stress, ensuring that the hormonal response remains acute and temporary rather than chronic and damaging.
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