a stressed chicken lays a stressed egg hatches a stressed chicken

In the complex landscape of human experience, the interplay between our internal physiological responses and external circumstances often mirrors the timeless puzzle of the chicken and the egg. This analogy becomes particularly poignant when examining how individuals with chronically elevated stress hormones—such as cortisol and adrenaline—can inadvertently perpetuate and amplify stressful situations, thereby creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 
The age-old question of the chicken and egg dilemma not only intrigues us about the origins of things but also offers insights into how we understand and interact with this world. In particular, stress and its impact on our bodies.

Stress is our body's natural response to challenges or threats, triggering physical and emotional reactions. When we encounter stressful situations—like deadlines, personal conflicts or inadequate nutrition and sunlight—our body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help us cope by boosting energy and sharpening our focus, preparing us to deal with the situation.

Traditionally, we think of stress causing the release of stress hormones. This makes sense because our body reacts to stressful events by gearing up for action. However, recent research shows it's more complex: stress hormones can also influence how we perceive and respond to stress. For instance, high levels of cortisol over time can affect how our brain handles emotions and decision-making, making us more sensitive to stressors.

This back-and-forth relationship between stress and stress hormones raises interesting questions about causality. Does stress lead to hormone release, or do hormones affect how we feel stress? It's a bit like asking which came first, the stress or the stress hormones—both influence each other in a continuous cycle.

Reflecting on this helps us understand our own responses to stress better. It shows that our thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions are interconnected. By becoming aware of this relationship, we can learn to manage stress more effectively. While techniques like mindfulness, ice baths and breathwork can play a role in adjusting our thinking patterns, perhaps adopting healthy lifestyle habits and adequate nutrition can help regulate stress hormones and improve our overall well-being.

If we can learn which inputs (food, exercise, sunlight etc.) lower the stress hormones within our body, we are theoretically creating less stressful events to come into our lives, as well as a less erratic or dramatic response to that situation.

I wonder if I am the only one to notice that angry and rushed drivers seem to get stuck behind trucks more often than others.
Perhaps they are just correct in their assumptions, traffic is horrendous, and they can never get anywhere on time due to trucks.
With the above theory in mind, perhaps their inner world is being reflected in their outer world.
But which came first? The belief or the evidence?
 
Self fulfilling prophecy
The way we perceive the world plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences and interactions. Our beliefs, attitudes, and expectations act as filters through which we interpret events and circumstances. This often leads us to seek out and interpret information in ways that confirm our existing beliefs or expectations—a process psychologists refer to as confirmation bias.

For example, if we hold a belief that people are generally untrustworthy, we may unconsciously seek out evidence that supports this belief while disregarding or downplaying instances that contradict it. This selective attention reinforces our perception and can lead us to attract or create situations that align with our preconceived notions.

Similarly, our mindset and outlook on life—whether optimistic or pessimistic—can influence how we perceive opportunities, setbacks, and relationships. I’ve watched in awe as optimists bounce back from challenges and setbacks within a day, fostering resilience and proactive problem-solving. In contrast, I’ve noticed pessimists interpreting what appears to be minuscule drama and life events as legitimately life threatening and world ending.

Two opposite reactions to the same event from two different people. Both people seeing what they believe to be true, and reacting how they believe is right.

The concept of self-fulfilling prophecy highlights how our beliefs about ourselves and others can influence behavior and create outcomes. When we expect a certain outcome, we may unknowingly behave in ways that increase the likelihood of that outcome occurring. This cycle reinforces our initial belief, creating a feedback loop that reaffirms our worldview.

Ultimately, understanding the role of perception in creating situations that affirm our beliefs underscores the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking. By challenging our assumptions, expanding our perspectives, and remaining open to new information, we can cultivate a view of the world—and in turn, influence the kinds of situations we attract or create in our lives.
 
Effects of chronic cortisol levels
There is evidence to suggest that long-term elevation of cortisol levels, often associated with chronic stress, can impact emotions and mood negatively, including potentially contributing to feelings of sadness or depression. Here are a few points supported by research:
Scientific literature and clinical studies provide substantial evidence supporting the relationship between chronic stress, cortisol levels, and mood disorders like depression. These findings highlight the importance of stress management strategies and lifestyle modifications (and seeking appropriate support or treatment to mitigate the negative impact of chronic stress on mental health).


I’d like you to imagine that an egg represents stress hormones, and those stress hormones create stressful situations.
You wake up, and there’s eggs in your bed.
Everywhere, eggs.
You try to get dressed, but the eggs fill your pockets and spill into a runny mess on the floor.
All day at work, in the car, at the supermarket, all you can see is hundreds and thousands of eggs.
Torture creating more torture!
You know you need to find the chicken, the one responsible for creating all this eggy stress in order to clear your vision and create a new path.
But it’s not until you look into the mirror and realize, you are the chicken, that anything can begin to change.
 
 
Thus, the cycle perpetuates itself: high stress hormones contribute to a heightened perception of stress, which in turn reinforces the body's physiological stress response. Recognizing this cycle is crucial; it underscores the importance of nutritional and stress management strategies. Only through cultivating self-awareness can we break the pattern and promote healthier responses to stressors. Potentially avoiding the creation of such a high number of stressors to begin with.