By Edd Hanzelik, M.D.

Question: Can human beings adapt to chronic stress?

Sorry, here’s the bad news: nothing, absolutely nothing, in the human body or mind is capable of adapting to chronic stress.

Instead a major chemical imbalance is created that interferes with the normal functioning of every system in the body, including the immune system, digestion, reproduction, breathing, blood pressure, skin, bones and many more. This imbalance causes lots of symptoms and does not feel good. For me, I experience tightness in my neck muscles, a shakiness of the body and unclear thinking when stress has me in its grip. How does it feel for you?

Because it does not feel good, we tend to self medicate with alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, prescription and recreational drugs, food and sugar, which only make matters worse. We also tend to neglect our healthy habits like exercise and good food, which compounds our symptoms. I neglect all aspects of caring for myself when I’m stressed. I eat poorly, sleep less, exercise less, rest less and play less.

What can we do? Don’t we need a strategy for steering clear of chronic stress?

Of course, we do. And this is where the tools of The Inner Game of Stress come in. They work! Beautifully. They enable me to handle changes in my life without being chronically stressed. Writing a book while being busy in a medical practice, having a family and promoting the book can be stressful. I can feel it wanting to affect my body. But when I step back, reflect on my options and use some of the tools, I get clear and the stress begins to dissolve. Today, I felt stress creeping up on me and I chose to use trust. Instead of trying to be on top of the myriad of situations active in my life, I let go and opened up to the trust that things will work out. In fact, I got clear that I want to enjoy this process fully. I want it to be fun. And as I realized that, I started to feel better!

We are all designed with the capability to maintain our inner stability. And that is true no matter what is going on in our life. Of course, the more going on, the stronger our efforts need to be to preserve our balance.

My colleague John and I are inspired by Nelson Mandela. Almost 27 years in a South African prison and he emerges ready to be the first black man to lead his nation. Isn’t that amazing? His explanation: “For the political prisoners, determination and wisdom overcame fear and human frailty.”

Do you and I have these same qualities? I believe we do. In the Inner Game of Stress, we look at simple tools to help us access the qualities we need to maintain our calm under life’s circumstances. They work for me. They give me a definite edge over stress.

I’d love to hear how they work for you.