Have you ever heard of the evolutionary response of “fight or flight”?
Also known as “acute stress response”, fight or flight is a phenomenon defined as a ‘physiological reaction that occurs when in the presence of something mentally or physically terrifying. This response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to stay and deal with a threat, or to run away to safety.’
“When we experience sudden, high stress, we activate our fight or flight response. In our everyday experiences, there is no place to run or hide and the stressful situation is not one that can be easily fought off,” explains Jenine Saunders, owner of Moetus Health in Sudbury.
“During periods of chronic high stress, our body stays in high gear. This creates wear and tear on the mind and body, and results in a multitude of conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, mood swings, and gut inflammation.”
All of us will find ourselves in ‘fight or flight’ mode at some point, and the effects can be long-lasting. The good news is, we already possess the power to overcome these physical and psychological effects.
“Our bodies contain their own superpower that can assist with decreasing our fight or flight response,” says Saunders. “The nervous system acts to counterbalance the fight or flirt system and can trigger a relaxation response in the body. One of the many ways you can stimulate healthy function is through breath and movement.”
May is Mental Health Awareness month and Moetus Health has planned a curated series of workshops called “Under the Skin”.
Each week, clients will participate in workshops focused on promoting and protecting their mental health:
- April 14: EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) with Willa Paterson
- April 21: Breathing for Self-Care with Meghan Bonhomme
- April 28: Overcoming Overwhelm Through Qigong with Nancy Rose
- May 5: Yin Yoga - A Journey Within with Melanie Simon
- May 12: Hot Stone Restorative Yoga with Joanne Dube
All workshops are 90 minutes in length and take place on Friday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. The cost for participating in the entire series of five workshops is $150 + HST. Individual sessions may be booked at a cost of $45 + HST.
Pre-registration is required, click here for more information and to register, call 705-674-1877 or email [email protected]
The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time, either through their own experience or that of a family member, friend or colleague. In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness and, by age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.
Moetus Health recognizes the vital relationship between physical health and mental health, and passionately believes that movement is the route to a speedy recovery, improved health, and an overall sense of well-being. Through a diverse range of mindful practices, from neuromuscular facilitated Yoga and functional movement to somatic therapy and breath work, the Moetus Health team works with every client to help them achieve optimal wellness of body, spirit and mind.
Learn more at www.moetushealth.com and visit the studio at 2037 Long Lake Road in Sudbury.