About The Stressed Species
Modern stress has developmental and social roots as well as existential significance for understanding the human condition in our present.
Many factors contribute to our stress: our biology, our life history, and our lifestyle choices. Those aspects are rooted in a cultural context that often contributes to increasing our stress level with its demands.
The current social environment also encourages a disconnection from fundamental, inner human needs, such as the innate drive for meaning and purpose, as well as our biological necessity to relax and replenish our energy.
A life that doesn’t respect human nature sets us up to be vulnerable to chronic mental and physical illnesses.
This blog explores the role of stress in the development of human biology and psychology. It talks about origin, prevention and management of stress. The ultimate goal is to understand our inner dynamics in order to promote health and live with intention.
Though the topics discussed here can interest everyone, my aim is to reach new parents. Parents often experience guilt and judgment, which is unacceptable. They should feel empowered instead, because they have power—they are in the unique position to transform their inner experiences while watching their children thrive.
There are many resources for parenting and child development. This blog is different in three ways:
- It frames the child-parent relationship in the context of stress.
- It talks about child development in terms of the biological role of parenting (see “About me” section).
- It offers guidance to lower parents’ stress and to prevent excessive stress responses in children.
About me
I have never considered myself a particularly positive person, but I have always had big ideals. The main one is that we can—and we must—address those factors over which we have power in order to reduce human sufferings.
I’m Concetta Ferretti. I’m a Biologist, and I hold a Ph.D. in Oncology. I have spent many years in the lab studying genes, stem cells and immune mechanisms.
My motto has always been, ‘If you are a scientist, you have the responsibility to do your best and do something helpful’. One day I realized that I wasn’t giving my best to my work, that diseases are more complex than the isolated mechanisms I was studying, and—more importantly—that understanding the disease in its general traits is not the same as understanding the disease in the person.
The science I love is strengthened by an open mind and heart. Today, I am conducting independent research to uncover how early stressful experiences get under our skin and modify our vulnerability to chronic diseases.
The adult stress response has in fact its root in childhood, and in particular in the attachment dynamics between the child and the caregiver. This changes the way we look at parenting.
Parenting is normally considered for its cultural and social implications, but it also has a fundamental role in the regulation of biological mechanisms involved in the protection of our health. This is what I call the ‘biological role of parenting’.
Studying the origins of stress and its effects on human development can boost our understanding of the mechanisms that link stress and illness. Also, it can provide a model for healthy, effective prevention, which is something we still lack.
Connecting the dots along the path to ‘greater health and less suffering’ is a long journey. Since I’ve never been a solo traveler, I started this blog—to connect with you, to give and receive inspiration, and to walk together.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you did.
Concetta