A firefighter saves a child from a burning building.
A few hours later, they may experience physical sensations such as shaking hands, faster heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
These are normal reactions through which the parasympathetic nervous system releases the energy immobilised during the rescue.
When the firefighter tries to repress those symptoms because they look less brave and capable to other firefighters, they get in the way of their own natural recovery.
As a result, they remain in an hyperactive state for longer and their survival brain perceives the experience to be much more threatening than it was.
It can happen to a firefighter, a soldier or … an investment banker.
When you deny and fight your emotions and physical symptoms in high-stress high-status environments, normal stress becomes chronic.
And chronic stress brings chronic diseases.
Loving you, Angelos