What you probably know: As women navigate different roles in their daily lives, New research suggests the impact of stress may have a long- lasting effect on women’s health. A new study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology – Nature, researchers found that women exhibit greater activation of stress response than men, potentially contributing to long-term effects on physical and mental health. Understanding how to respond to stress may lead to better ways to manage the effects of stress in day-to-day life and prevent some of the physiological issues that can pop up as a result of prolonged exposure to stress, such as digestive issues and high blood pressure.
Why it matters: Elle Ingalls is a coach, speaker and the author of Pressure-Free Parenting and The Pressure-Free CEO. Ingalls developed this method to stop the fight-or-flight stress response before it starts, enabling sharper decision-making, increased resilience and greater success without burnout. With the relentless pressures women — and men and children, too — are experiencing today, our society has normalized the constant triggering of the stress response, Ingalls says. Evidence lies around us: anxiety, depression, chronic illness, absenteeism, anger, shame, complaining, endless worrying. Side effects from stress can include grinding teeth, headaches, heart issues and gut issues.
What it means: In 2010, Ingalls created The Pressure-Free method, sharing simple ways to prevent the release of stress hormones like adrenaline, dopamine and glucocorticoids. “I suffered from eczema, dense fibrous breast tissue, and a healthy dose of adrenalized impatience with my staff, husband, and sons,” she says. Within eight weeks of experimenting her tools on herself, her eczema had started to disappear. “My breast tissues completely changed, and I found myself far more patient, actually truly powerful and in control.” Mastering this method has created a ripple effect in the lives of those around her. People heal from diseases and conditions they've had for years and when people are in less pain they are capable of treating others better.
What happens next: The Pressure-Free method can be implemented by creating simple habits that interrupt stress-related responses in the body. Three basic tools Ingalls recommend is first, placing a hand on your belly and relaxing your ab muscles. “In fight or flight, we use these to protect ourselves from an attack,” she says. Second, ask an empowering question: “How can I stay calm in this moment? How can we solve this easily?” She explains that our brain loves repetition and specifics. And third, raise your hands in the sky. A large, unusual motion is one of the fastest ways to interrupt the stress response, create new neural pathways, and change a habit — especially a habit of reaction — quickly.
