Understanding Homeostasis: The Key to Balance and Survival

Homeostasis is derived from the Greek words for “same” and “steady,” referring to any process that living things use to actively maintain fairly stable conditions necessary for survival. The term was first coined by a psychologist named Walter Cannon in 1926 (Cherry, 2021). In psychology, we often refer to Homeostasis as a physiological state, however, homeostasis also plays a significant role in psychological states.

A person maintains psychological homeostasis under opposing stresses through adaptation. We adapt through a wide variety of responses that soothe our system, bringing it back into a homeostatic range. When fears encroach, our biological systems jump out of the comfortable range, we run away from the fear, or resolve the frightening moment. Our response settles the fear, allowing our bodies to return to a normal homeostatic state.

Introduction: Physiological Balance

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., expands on the conscious contributions to maintaining our inner equilibrium. He explains that, “We need to register and act on our physical sensations to keep our bodies safe. Realizing we’re cold compels us to put on a sweater; feeling hungry or spacey tells us our blood sugar is low and spurs us to get a snack; the pressure of a full bladder sends us to the bathroom” (van der Kolk, 2015).

Emotions are essential for maintaining homeostatic balance. Emotion signals a need for diverting attention away from non-critical engagements and focusing on immediate threats to imbalance. Van der Kolk says, “Emotion and attention are entirely related to the fundamental business of managing life within the organism. It is not possible to manage life and maintain homeostatic balance without data on the current state of the organism’s body” (van der Kolk, 2015).

​Physiological Homeostatic States

​Physiological homeostasis “means having an ideal body temperature, heart rate, glucose level, and so on” (Sapolsky 2018). Physiological and psychological homeostasis are not independent states. Life intricately weaves them together. Basically, our psychological states impact our physiological balance.

Our body temperature, heartrate, and glucose levels and all the wondrous features of a living organism are reactive to internal events, such as thoughts, just as much as external events, such as a violent robber breaking into our home. Unquestionably, these responses are healthy, preparing the body to defend against a threat. When physiological reactions push us out of homeostasis, our bodies demand action. Afterwards, when the threat diminishes, we return to a state of homeostasis.

​Stressors and Stress Response in Homeostasis

​​A “stressor” is anything that disrupts homeostatic balance. Negative feedback is central to homeostasis. Negative feedback an organisms automatic reaction to any change imposed upon it. Basically, stressor is a change in conditions, creating an internal distress, calling for a response. A stressor begins a chain reaction, eventually leading to behavioral or cognitive responses to bring the system back into homeostatic balance.

Gabor Maté, M.D., explains in his fabulous book When the Body Says No that when we encounter events “we need to mount a stress response in order to preserve internal stability.” Our response, he continues “may be triggered in reaction to any attack—physical, biological, chemical or psychological—or in response to any perception of attack or threat, conscious or unconscious” (Maté, 2011).

Threats

Maté defines a threat as anything that destabilizes the body’s homeostasis, moving the body towards the outer reaches of “the relatively narrow range of physiological conditions within which the organism can survive and function.”

Maté explains that to facilitate a stress response to rebalance the organism in the face of a threat our “blood needs to be diverted from the internal organs to the muscles, and the heart needs to pump faster. The brain needs to focus on the threat, forgetting about hunger or sexual drive. Stored energy supplies need to be mobilized, in the form of sugar molecules. The immune cells must be activated. Adrenaline, cortisol and the other stress substances fulfill those tasks” (Maté, 2011).

These adaptive biological reactions are part of the wonderous mechanisms of survival. Yet, they can go awry, notably, when stress is chronic. Pointedly, chronic stress keeps these systems activated, causing significant harm to health and wellness. Maté warns, “Too much sugar in the blood will cause coma; an overactive immune system will soon produce chemicals that are toxic” (Maté, 2011).

​Predicting Stressors

​Sapolsky explains that cognitive abilities to plan for the future adds to the family of stressors. He explains that things that can throw us out of balance “includes thinking you’re going to be thrown out of homeostasis” (Sapolsky, 2018). Sapolsky emphatically continues, “An anticipatory stress response is adaptive if there really is a physical challenge coming. However, if you’re constantly but incorrectly convinced that you’re about to be thrown out of balance, you’re being an anxious, neurotic, paranoid, or hostile primate who is psychologically stressed” (Sapolsky, 2018).

For example, we think about failing the midterm examine and our system is disturbed, moving us from comfortable homeostatic balance, hormones surge through our bodies, our heartrate increases, and disturbed by the anxiety. We may adapt by studying, gaining confidence in our preparations, and consequently bringing our system back into balance; or we may respond by going to the night club, drinking and dancing with friends, resolving our fears through distraction. Our response matters. Some avenues bringing us back into a homeostatic balance future growth.

​Window of Homeostasis 

​We operate within optimal states of arousal. We effectively react to different situations with varying levels of arousal. Arousal levels also vary between individuals. Some people gracefully react under high stress; while others struggle with the slightest spike of physiological stress, emotionally cascading into a nervous breakdown. Biology and learning lead to our individual windows of tolerance. In conclusion, We must work within our given ranges to optimally respond to life. We achieve wellness by maintaining a homeostatic balance.

Associated Concepts

• Allostasis: This term refers to the body’s adaptive response to stressors, aiming to maintain stability through changes. Unlike homeostasis, which focuses on set points, allostasis considers dynamic adjustments to optimize functioning.
• Stress and Coping Theory: A Theory, developed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman, suggests that individuals experience stress when they perceive a discrepancy between the demands of a situation and their perceived ability to cope with those demands.
• Glucocorticoid Cascade Hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests that prolonged stress may lead to a dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated levels of glucocorticoids. This, in turn, may lead to impaired hippocampal function, reduced neurogenesis, and ultimately contribute to the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
• Emotion Regulation: Homeostasis extends to emotional regulation. The brain’s limbic system (including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex) helps regulate emotions, striving for a balanced emotional state.
• Set Point Theory: This theory suggests that individuals have a preferred level of physiological functioning (set point). Deviations from this point trigger compensatory mechanisms to restore balance.
• Diathesis-Stress Model: This model is a psychological theory that suggests that people have an underlying predisposition (diathesis) towards certain psychological conditions, and that the manifestation of these conditions is determined by the presence of stressors.
• Stress Management: Techniques and strategies used to control, reduce, and cope with the negative effects of stress. It involves identifying stress triggers, implementing healthy coping mechanisms, and making lifestyle changes to enhance well-being.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In essence, homeostasis serves as the cornerstone of our overall wellness, influencing not only our physical health but also our emotional and psychological states. By comprehending this intricate balance, we gain valuable insights into how various factors—be they environmental stressors or internal emotional fluctuations—can disrupt our equilibrium.

Understanding homeostasis encourages us to cultivate a deeper awareness of ourselves and promotes proactive engagement with both our mental and physical health practices. This knowledge empowers us to recognize the signs when we are veering out of balance and equips us with the tools necessary to restore harmony in our lives.

Moreover, embracing the concept of homeostasis invites us to appreciate life’s dynamic nature. As we navigate through varying emotional landscapes and physiological responses, recognizing that wellness is an ongoing journey rather than a fixed destination becomes essential. The ability to adapt within these fluctuating ranges fosters resilience and enhances our capacity for personal growth. Ultimately, by nurturing this understanding, we can strive towards achieving a state where we are neither excessively aroused nor emotionally detached—a state in which true well-being flourishes amidst life’s inevitable changes.

Last Update: January 15, 2026

​Resources:

Cherry, Kendra (2021). What is Homeostasis? verywellmind. Published: 8-11-2021; Accessed: 8-15-2021. Website: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-homeostasis-2795237
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Maté, Gabor (2011). When the Body Says No. ‎Trade Paper Press; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 0470349476
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Sapolsky, Robert (2018). Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books; Illustrated edition. ISBN-10: 1594205078
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Van der Kolk, Bessel (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books; Illustrated edition. ISBN-10: 1101608307; APA Record: 2014-44678-000
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