Description: In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, join me, Paula Walters, as I dive deep into the complex world of our body's stress hormones—adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones play a crucial role in how we respond to stress, but when impacted by trauma, they can become our greatest challenge. Today, I’ll be sharing my personal journey through over four decades of trauma and how these hormones nearly led to my demise. This episode is a continuation of our previous discussion on the "feel-good" hormones—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins—and how balancing these is just as critical as managing our stress hormones.

Key Highlights:

• Understanding the Stress Hormones:
  • The function of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol in the body.
  • How these hormones prepare us for "fight or flight" and why they are essential for survival.
• Trauma's Impact on Stress Hormones:
  • Short-term effects: Rapid heartbeat, heightened senses, and energy surges.
  • Long-term effects: Chronic anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension, and weakened immune system.
• Being Stuck in "Fight or Flight":
  • Symptoms of short-term and long-term exposure to elevated stress hormones.
  • Personal anecdotes about how I lived in a state of chronic stress and how it affected my physical and mental health.
• Path to Healing:
  • Natural ways to regulate adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol.
  • The importance of regular physical activity, mindfulness, sleep, and a balanced diet.
  • How these lifestyle changes not only benefit us but also improve the lives of those we love.
• My Personal Journey:
  • How being stuck in the "medical mayhem" almost led me to take my own life.
  • The turning point in 2019 was when I sought functional holistic treatment, which changed the trajectory of my life.
  • The importance of taking control of your healing journey, even when the traditional medical system falls short.

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. I am a survivor sharing my experiences, research, and the knowledge I’ve gained from seeking functional holistic treatments. My goal is to help others avoid the pitfalls I encountered in the medical system and to offer hope and guidance to those struggling with the effects of trauma.

Call to Action: Join me as we unpack these stress hormones and learn how to take steps toward healing. Your well-being matters—not just for you, but for those who love and depend on you. Let’s work together to break free from the grip of trauma and reclaim our lives.