Stress!!! What can we do!

What's stress?

Often seen as a downer, but hey, it's not all bad! Stress can actually be good in moderation. Think of it as your body's 'fight or flight' mode, like when you're being chased by a lion while hunting for food – you'd definitely want that kick in! The issue isn't stress itself, it's how much we're dealing with. Our modern lives often leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained, thanks to daily stress.

When stress hits, we kick into survival mode. Back in the day, you'd have just slept more after a stressful morning of hunting. But today, we keep going without much pause, turning to sugar, caffeine, or alcohol to cope. The more we push, the more stress piles up for our mind and body. Nutrients are used up, the liver's working overtime, and your brain might even hit pause on thinking to save energy.

This leads to losing focus, feeling tired, getting sick, and burning out mentally. Not exactly what a rider needs while competing, right? Ever had a 'brain freeze' and blanked out during a test? That's a clear sign you're riding on too much stress.