The Moose, the Prayer, and Your Nervous System

I heard galloping and thought horses were coming.

Then, out of nowhere, a female moose came leaping out of the trees.

Without thinking, I scooped up my 2½-year-old, checked on my 5-year-old, and turned to find my oldest already running a good 50 feet ahead. And my husband? He was running toward us, phone in hand, taking a video. (LOL. Priorities!)

We were hiking in Colorado near the end of our trip, and my kids really wanted to see some kind of wildlife. So, I'd said a little prayer asking God if we could see some.

Well, God answered. And talk about an adrenaline rush!

In a split second, before I had time to think, my nervous system kicked into action. My heart raced, my muscles prepared to move, and my attention narrowed to one thing: protecting my kids.

That's your stress response doing what it was designed to do.

The goal isn't to eliminate stress. It's to help your body respond when it needs to—and recover when the threat has passed.

Today, let's look at why we need adrenaline and cortisol, what happens when stress becomes chronic, and a few simple ways to help your body find its way back to calm.

Your built-in protection system

When you sense danger, your sympathetic nervous system (the “fight or flight” side) springs into action. Adrenaline floods your system within seconds, and cortisol follows to keep you fueled with energy. Then, once the danger passes, your parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” side, led largely by your vagus nerve) is meant to bring you back to calm.

What short-term stress can do for us

Dr. Firdaus Dhabhar, a neuroimmunologist formerly at Stanford and now at the University of Miami, has spent years studying how stress affects the immune system. His research shows that short-term stress—the kind that lasts minutes to hours—can mobilize immune cells and strengthen certain immune responses. In other words, this quick burst of stress is part of your body's built-in survival system.

In one study, researchers found that patients who mounted a stronger immune response to the stress of surgery had better recovery outcomes and experienced less pain. Think about the moose encounter: my body didn't know whether I or my children might be injured, so it prepared us to respond to a potential threat.

But here's where the distinction matters. The stress response is helpful when we need it. When stress becomes chronic the effects can be very different. Dhabhar's research describes how prolonged stress can disrupt immune function and contribute to problems involving brain health, biological aging, and overall well-being.

The takeaway? Stress itself isn't always the problem. It's what happens when the stress response keeps getting activated without enough opportunity for recovery.

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The key difference: does it turn off?

Dr. Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University gave us a helpful name for this. He described the response to acute stress as adaptive, while chronic stress can dysregulate the body’s stress chemicals and worsen disease. He called the cumulative wear and tear “allostatic load.”

McEwen explained that it isn’t only the dramatic events that take a toll. It’s the many everyday stressors that keep our systems revved up, disrupt sleep, and push us toward overeating and other unhealthy habits. That’s the busy calendar, the never-ending to-do list, the 2 a.m. worry spiral.

A moose is a quick burst. Modern life can feel like a moose that never leaves.

When stress becomes chronic

A 2024 review in Heart and Mind found a strong link between psychological stress and cardiovascular disease, with longer-lasting, more intense stress associated with greater risk. Chronic stress can disrupt the body's stress-response systems, affect inflammation and blood sugar regulation, and contribute to processes involved in cardiovascular disease.

It can also influence everyday habits, making it harder to sleep well, eat consistently, and stay active.

As a nurse who worked in cardiology, I saw how stress can affect physical health. It's not “just in your head.” It can impact your blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep, and digestion.

The good news? Your nervous system is designed to shift out of stress mode. Sometimes it just needs a little help finding its way back to calm.

1. Lengthen your exhale.
Try breathing in gently through your nose for a count of 4, then breathing out slowly for a count of 6. Repeat for five comfortable rounds. Slow, controlled breathing may help settle your stress response and give you a moment to pause before moving on to the next thing.

Try it in the car before you walk into work, before a difficult conversation, or as part of your bedtime routine. Don't force the breath; if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, return to normal breathing.

2. Give your body a chance to move.
When stress hits, your body prepares you for action. If you've spent the day feeling tense at your desk, a short walk, a little stretching, or dancing around the kitchen can be a helpful way to release tension and shift gears.

3. Get outside, especially in the morning.
Natural light early in the day helps set your body’s internal clock, which supports a healthy cortisol rhythm and better sleep at night. Bonus: time in nature (wildlife optional!) is calming all on its own.

4. Protect your wind-down time.
Your nervous system can’t downshift if it’s still scrolling the news at 10 p.m. Give yourself 30-60 minutes before bed with dim lights and no screens. Read, pray, journal, or take a warm shower.

5. Connect and laugh.
Safe connection can help us feel more calm and supported. A hug, a phone call with a friend, or a good belly laugh (like the one my family still has about Dad filming the moose instead of running) helps signal safety to your body.

An opportunity for you this week: Pick just one of these habits. Practice it once a day and notice how you feel. You don't need to do all five. The goal is to build small habits that help you care for yourself, even in the middle of a busy life.

I asked God to show us wildlife, and He sent a moose! I still smile and laugh about how He answered that prayer. I'm always amazed at how God hears us, answering in His time. I'm also in awe of how He designed our bodies.

That racing heart, the rush of energy, the sharp focus—all gifts for the moments we need them.

But we weren't designed to live in a constant state of stress. Our bodies are built to respond to challenges and then return to rest. And when life's worries feel overwhelming, we can turn to the One who offers peace beyond what we can explain.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The same God who answered my prayer for a moose, cares about the worries keeping you up at night. Bring them to Him. You don't have to carry them alone.

Prayer may not make every stressful situation disappear, but we can bring our anxious thoughts to God and rest in the truth that He is with us through them.

This week, when you feel overwhelmed, pause and pray. Let His truth remind you that you are not alone.

With faith, science, and wellness,
Liz, The Wellness Nurse 🌿

Registered Nurse | Certified Mental Wellness Coach

P.S. Have you ever had a wild “adrenaline moment” like ours? Hit reply and tell me. I’d love to hear it!

P.P.S. Does your body feel stuck in fight or flight? Month 2 of my Root & Restore 6-Month Foundational Program is all about the vagus nerve, your body’s built-in calm switch. The founding price of $59 is available through November 6, then it goes to $99. Click here for details: Root & Restore 6-Month Program

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer The content in The Wellness Nurse is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, or health practices.

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