Van tijd tot tijd maken we allemaal stressvolle situaties mee, waarbij we initieel emoties voelen, zoals angst, jaloezie of woede. De manier waarop iemand met zulke situaties omgaat wordt overlevingsmechanisme genoemd, ofwel coping strategie. Tegelijkertijd merkt ons brein gevaar op, wat zorgt voor de aanmaak van “stresshormonen” zoals cortisol, acetylcholine, adrenaline en noradrenaline. Het proces vindt plaats in de hypothalamus van het brein, waar onze hormonen via de bloedbaan van de hypofyse en het autonome zenuwstelsel gedistribueerd worden door het lichaam. Dit proces maakt ons lichaam klaar en in de startblokken voor een vecht-of-vluchtreactie.

Although this wonderful mechanism is essential in times of survival, it can cause physical (low-grade) complaints and energy shortage during prolonged periods of stress. In addition, the aforementioned emotions hinder our ability to react. We cannot (yet) process them, which is why we split them off into our subconscious. To the illogical event, our brain tries to link a meaning as logical as possible. As a result, we construct our own formed belief – our perception of the “truth” – according to the knowledge we have at that moment. The mechanism is in our best interest at that time. But if these unresolved emotions and limiting beliefs are too much in contrast of our authenticity, they can also hinder us further in life. As long as we aren't aware of this, similar events will continue to recur in our lives, as patterns that will emphasize the belief. You can read a concrete example of such a pattern in my story.