Living at Londolozi, the wilderness around us is always teaching us a lesson or two in resilience and adaptation. I’ve come to appreciate not only the beauty of the wildlife and nature but also the wisdom they impart. In this case, I have been thinking a lot about understanding stress and its impact on the human body.

Recently, I have found myself going down a deep rabbit hole exploring the work of biologist and philosopher Robert Sapolsky. He is mostly renowned for confronting and refuting the biological and philosophical arguments for free will; contending that

“We are not free agents, but that biology, hormones, childhood and life circumstances all fuse together to produce actions that we merely feel were ours to choose” (which is an interesting and separate discussion/debate for another time!).

“Anticipating social defeat can cause depression,” says Robert Sapolsky. After facing the threat of an imposing leopard, a kudu doesn’t dwell on the danger; it simply moves on, living in the present moment.

However, another major aspect of his work is his research surrounding stress. In his book, “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers”, Sapolsky sheds light on the intricate relationship between stress and health, drawing parallels between humans and animals. Through his research, he reveals that while stress is a natural response crucial for survival, prolonged exposure can wreak havoc on our overall well-being.

The Biology of Stress

Stress, as Sapolsky defines it, is not merely a fleeting emotion but a complex physiological response rooted in our evolutionary history. When faced with a perceived threat, whether it’s a predator lurking behind the bushes or an impending corporate office deadline, our body initiates a cascade of hormonal changes designed to mobilize resources for survival. The release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline primes us for action, sharpening our focus and heightening our senses.

And physiologically, it is our automatic nervous system that is responsible for how we respond and recover from stress.

A herd of impala stand in unison as they alert one another to the presence of a male leopard in the area. Heightened awareness, their adrenalin spiking, their digestive system suppressed – they are in “fight or flight” mode completely present at the moment.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The Stress-Response. This system is responsible for triggering stress during real, or imaginary situations of crisis. Whether you’re human thinking about a potentially stressful future event or an impala running for its life from a leopard, biologically we as mammals all induce the same stress response. And this comes with physiological circumstances that enable us to react accordingly. For example, I am sure we can all relate to at least one, if not ALL of the bodily responses below that enable us to react immediately in stressful situations (to name only a few):

• mobilization of energy & boost of adrenalin
• increased cardiovascular activity (to help circulate adrenalin, oxygen, glucose and cortisol)
• suppression of digestion
• sharpening of cognition, alertness, pleasure

Parasympathetic Nervous System

This system counteracts one’s stress response and is responsible for the calm and vegetative activities. It promotes one’s digestive function, growth, energy storage and other similar functions.

Although there is always a sense of alertness and awareness of one’s surroundings when approaching a water hole, we most often view all of general game species actively engaging in parasympathetic activities – fueling their energy levels.

Prolonged stress

While our acute stress response is vital in moments of danger, we are all well aware that prolonged exposure to stress can have detrimental effects on our health.

Chronic stress disrupts the delicate balance of our body’s systems, contributing to a myriad of health issues ranging from cardiovascular disease to compromised immune function.

And this is where I think humans have a lot to learn from the wilderness because animals don’t experience prolonged stress…

“Stress is not something that happens to us. Rather, it is our response to what happens, and response is something we can choose” – Robert Sapolsky

When an Animal Gets Stressed

One of the most striking revelations from Sapolsky’s work is the contrasting stress responses between humans and animals, like zebras or impalas. Picture this: a zebra grazing peacefully on an open crest suddenly spots a lurking predator. In an instant, its body mobilizes an outpour of physiological responses, triggering the famous “fight-or-flight” reaction. Once the threat dissipates, the zebra has an innate ability to return to a state of homeostasis, and its stress response subsides as swiftly as it arises.

The Three Rivers Female stalks a nearby herd of impalas. Without knowing about her presence in the area, the impala continue their day without living in a state of perpetual stress of potential lurking threats.

Humans, on the other hand, possess a remarkable ability to perpetuate stress long after the threat has passed. We ruminate over past events, fret about future uncertainties, and often find ourselves trapped in a cycle of chronic stress. Unlike our animal counterparts, our complex cognition can amplify stress, turning everyday worries into persistent sources of anguish.

“In times of crisis, our brain gets stressed, but sometimes we create imaginary crises and induce it ourselves”

Observing the resilience of animals and their ability to so swiftly jump between activating their sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems offers good insight into how humans can better control our coping mechanisms to stress.

Ultra-aware and alert to the presence of a predator, impalas can tap into their stress responses and the sympathetic nervous system immediately to give them the best chance of survival.

Take the impala, for instance. These antelopes encounter predators daily, yet they possess a remarkable ability to swiftly recover from stressful encounters minutes after literally running for their lives. They graze peacefully, bask in the warmth of the African sun, and remain attuned to the present moment—a practice akin to mindfulness that enables them to navigate life’s challenges as and when they present themselves.