Why do we feel nervous? Why does the body react this way (butterflies in the stomach, etc)?

Answer 1

It is known as Fight or Flight...your body starts to produce adrenaline, and if you think about it, digestion of food is the least of your worries if your in danger. So less blood flows to this region and is pumped faster and more frequently to muscles to either run or fight breathing rate also increases, due to sympathetic nervous system... Its a survival instinct.

Answer 2

It is an effect of adrenaline. When we are under stress, our bodies react by releasing adrenaline (also called epinepherine) which triggers the "three F's": that is, the urge to "fight, flee, or..." well, it's another four letter word that begins with F. :-) (I swear I am not making this up!)

The blood flow is redirected from less-critical functions like digestion to the skeletal muscles to allow for the anticipated burst of physical activity; this accounts for the butterflies in your guts as digestion is temporarily suspended. It also restricts blood flow to the skin, to restrict blood loss from superficial cuts in a fight; and the sweat glands open up to enhance cooling. These effects account for clammy palms and sweaty armpits. Also the pupils react, and mental processes run faster (at the expense of considerable energy) which gives a subjective impression of time slowing down.

I had a vivid example of the apparent time dilation some years ago. My wife and I returned from a road trip, and while I was putting away the food she went to open a window to get fresh air in the apartment. I heard a crash of breaking glass, and thought, "that sounds like a floor lamp falling over. But we don't own a floor lamp!" and I went to investigate. I saw her standing there next to a huge jagged hole in the window pane, which had exploded when she tried to open it; this happens more often than people realize. Immediately time slowed down for me, and just as I thought "GET A TOWEL" to stop the blood flow she said "GET A TOWEL!"

I ran down the hall to the bathroom, with everything in eerie slow motion; when I got there I grabbed the top towel in the cabinet. My mind was racing so fast that I thought, "This dark green towel will be permanently stained and we will never be able to match the colour exactly; I will take the next towel down which is white and we can get a replacement" and took the next towel. I would estimate this thought and grabbing the replacement towel took one or two tenths of a second at most. Then I ran back and gave her the white towel; there was a significant flow of blood. She told me that HER intial thought was, "Why is he giving me a white towel? We'll never get the stain out! Oh, wait a minute, I'M BLEEDING. Never mind" and slapped the towel on and we went off to the E.R.

Adrenaline is a potent hormone, there is no doubt about that!

Answer 3

It all really depends on your reasons for being nervous. For instance, according to Dr. Phil's website, if you are in the first stages of a new found relationship, the "butterflies" are a good nervous because of the endorphins in the body being released. These give you that butterfly feeling and cause your palms to sweat and your voice to crack when around this new found love.

According to other professionals, you could be nervous because of a recent traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one or a surprise bill. One of the number one causes of stress and nervousness in the United States, according to the Department of Labor, is from financial debt. Financial debts are the number one cause of mental breakdowns, divorce, and suicide rates in the United States. Thus, one could construe from this that nervousness could almost always lead back to money, of which has long been called the root of all evil.

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

as a human the brain has full control of all feelings etc,
the nervous feeling comes in to play because the body (brain) likes to no whats going to happen next.when confronted with something unusual or differant you get nervous and your body lets you no this by these feelings butterflies,shaking.in a sexual way although you may have had done it before you will get these feelings with someone new,but ull find if youve been with your partner for long time you feel comfortable and dont get nervous...thats it

Answer 5

G'day Ellywelly13,

Thank you for your question.

Anxiety or nervousness is a complex combination of emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain and/or shortness of breath.

Anxiety often has mental, physical, emotional and behaviourial aspects. The mental component entails expectation of a diffuse and uncertain danger. Physically the body prepares the organism to deal with threat (known as an emergency reaction); blood pressure and heart rate are increased, sweating is increased, bloodflow to the major muscle groups is increased, and immune and digestive system functions are inhibited. Externally, signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating, trembling, and pupillary dilation. Emotionally, anxiety causes a sense of dread or panic and physically causes nausea, and chills. Behaviorally, both voluntary and involuntary behaviors may arise directed at escaping or avoiding the source of anxiety. These behaviors are frequent and often maladaptive, being most extreme in anxiety disorders. However, anxiety is not always pathological or maladaptive: it is a common emotion along with fear, anger, sadness, and happiness, and it has a very important function in relation to survival.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 6

A chemical reaction (adrenaline) in our bodies make us feel this way. This isn't nesecarily a bad thing. Because for example if you are scared, an adrenaline rush will make you feel on edge, but will at the same time make us be able to react quicker, run faster etc.

Answer 7

when you get nervous your brain sends a message to the body. the message is in a chemical form that puts the body into an adrenaline kick. that can cause the muscles in your tummy to react.
-fight or flight response

Answer 8

There is some perception of danger that activates the autonomic system to some degree. The perception may or may not be realistic.

Answer 9

It's a minor form of detecting danger. If you're genuinely scared, it's amplified.

Answer 10

Many reasons..most of them psychological...in another words...your mind is confused due to many direction at the same moment!
Clear up your mind before you react...it is OK to take couple more seconds before you act or say anything...sometimes I found it to be better to NOT to act or say anything in such situation.

Good luck...