Shut down reflex? Cortisol?

[spatts]

Shut down reflex?

I have a question about how I react to extreme stress. This has happened to me ALL my life. Whether it was a track meet, as a lifeguard, working in an ER, or lifting:

When I get that "adrenaline rush" it makes me instantly SLEEPY. Everything seems slower and clearer, and very calm - almost surreal. Then, all of a sudden, I'm sleepy. I've taken naps in the middle of my last two comps.

What's up with that? What's it mean? Can I change it?

It comes in handy in stressful situations where I need to be able to think clearly, but I don't particularly care for it when I'm about to lift. It doesn't seem to hinder my performance (probably because I won't let it), but it is annoying.

Thoughts?

 

[karde]

Could be a natural response once your body decides the threat is over? I get it too.

I was a competative swimmer, and I always wanted to nap after a race. My adrenaline would pump hard.

Or after any intense situation actually.

 

[spatts]

No this isn't after. This is my initial reaction. You'll see some guys shaking, or sweating, bouncing around, even slamming their heads on the bar....I'm yawning.

After the lift I'm wide awake.

 

[karde]

Hmm, that seems like the opposite reaction of what should be happening.

Although if you are doing a lot of yawning. I was just reading a study recently published on yawning. And that it's something of a myth that you yawn to get more oxygen, or even that you are tired. It's more a reaction to 'changing states' between rest and activity, or imminent thereof.

(Just to continue this tangent)
Also yawning is a collective thing. They were theorizing that yawns are 'contagious' so that the 'tribe' in general shares the same state of alertness.


Also in the study they showed people pictures of others yawning and it made them yawn. Then they just showed a yawning mouth, which did NOT make people yawn. Then they showed yawning eyes, which DID make people yawn.

Interesting stuff, but sorry that it probably doesn't help.

 

[spatts]

No, it doesn't....but it's truly fascinating.

Thanks, karde!

 

[IronLion]

I have the same reaction to stress. When I was playing football in college I would lay in the locker room and sleep before a game and usually wouldn't be fully awake till after I had hit someone. I like it though, after I learned how to use it as an asset. What I learned is that I shouldn't fight it and try to work myself up into a frenzy like most everyone else...that doesn't work for me I am tired and calm regardless of wether or not I am slaming my head against the wall or not, in other words I can't fake it. I know this sounds cheese-ish but I have learned breathing and meditation techniques that allow me to be relaxed and remain ultra focused on what I am going to do.

Try to at least visualize every small aspect of the lift with the ultimate focus being how light it will be (the first step in guided meditation) and let yourself be sleepy or even doze b/c you'll waste energy trying to fight it. It is like a calm before the storm, when it is time to lift, if you are like me you can get very intense very quickly but you won't sustain it well, so just learn to time it right.---hope this helps a little

oh and my theory is that it feels so intense because you have a higher release level of adrenaline than the average person

 

[T Bone]

I've seen plenty of guys/girls nap before their weight class in grappling turneys.

I have no answer for you, sorry. Just chiming in to let you know you're not alone.

T Bone

 

[spatts]

...if you are like me you can get very intense very quickly

Yes. Once I'm at the bar, I've been "seeing the lift" for some time. When I get there, I hear nothing, I see nothing (other than myself moving it), and everything's very calm and clear. Like I'm dreaming. Then, when I unrack the bar, something just kind of snaps, and I'm on.

I guess I just feel like a slacker sleeping between lifts...but if it's ok, then ok.

I am curious to learn more about what's happening physiologically when that happens, though.

 

[bignate73]

its cortisol slowing the body down, the body releases it after adrenaline.

ps...i get sleepy just breathing. carbs are doing it to me as of late.

 

[spatts]

Why am I releasing so much cortisol?