Shocking Things Your Brain Does When You’re Stressed
In mammals and humans in particular, stress causes the body to go into survival mode and triggers its internal stress response which is a mechanism used to combat life threatening scenarios. A good example of this is faster heartbeat which increases blood flow to the brain and the body and is followed up by acute senses of hearing and sight causing us humans to become increasingly aware of our surroundings.
This is done by the brain which sends neural signals to our body, telling the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn results in increased sugar levels in the bloodstream, blood pressure and heart rate.
The effect of chronic or regular stress can have a tremendous negative impact on our brain function and can lead to conditions like memory loss, mood fluctuations, brain fog, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chronic Stress can actually shrink our Brain
Stress causes the levels of cortisol in our brain to shoot up and frequent high cortisol levels can severely harm our body’s physical and mental capacity since cortisol can eliminate, shrink or even stop the creation of new neurons in critical areas of the brain that are associated with memory, acquired learning and emotional control. Encounters that are stressful can damage our memory and ability to acquire knowledge whilst also inducing impulsiveness since stress can reduce the amount of grey matter in our brain regions which is responsible for emotional control and other physiological traits.
Prolonged stress can stop the production of new neurons (associated with learning) and can result in a reduced size of the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex which then results in emotional and intellectual deficiency.
Stress Is a Brain Killer
As discussed above, a perceived imminent threat causes the body to release adrenaline which gives our brain and body the energy for a possible “fight or flight” scenario. After a few minutes, this hormone leaves the body to let it resume it’s normal functions, but in event of prolonged stress, the brain then goes into hyperactive mode and releases glucocorticoids, a form of steroidal hormones that include cortisol which does not leave the body the same way adrenaline does, residing in the brain for long periods of time, causing long term damage.
The release and residence of these hormones in the brain can cause an imbalance in the neural system. An unusually large number of adrenaline and cortisol in the body can kill the neurons and cells in the hippocampus which leads to memory and cognitive impairment.
How to Combat Stress
While the body and brain does have its own natural capability to recoup from stressful encounters by generating additional neurons, we can accelerate the rehabilitation process by certain proactive measures which can be incorporated in our daily routine to help improve the quality of our everyday life. The incorporation of physical exercise can drastically reduce the stress levels in the body and experts recommend that even a leisurely stroll of 30 minutes every day can potentially help to lower stress and improve mental health.
Having adequate sleep, meditation and avoiding heavy meals, cigarettes and alcohol can lead to a drastically better everyday experience and elevated mood levels. Reducing other stress inducing situations like noise, bright lights and maintaining a cool surrounding temperature of 60 to 65 degrees can all result in a healthy mental state.
More in Mental Health
-
`
How to Sleep with Fluid in Lungs – Expert Tips
Living with fluid in your lungs can turn nighttime into a challenging experience, but with the right strategies, you can reclaim...
April 30, 2024 -
`
All About Bench Press Workouts
When discussing strength training, particularly in terms of building an impressive chest and strong arms, the bench press often steals the...
April 24, 2024 -
`
Do Muscle Relaxers Show Up On A Drug Test? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you are gearing up for a drug test, be it for employment, sports, or any other reason, you might find...
April 16, 2024 -
`
Fashionista Suri Cruise Leaves NYC With Mom Katie Holmes for the Holiday Weekend
Suri Cruise and her mom Katie Holmes were seen leaving New York City for the holiday weekend, marking yet another adventure...
April 10, 2024 -
`
Medicare Advantage Nightmares: The Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans
Exploring the confusing maze of Medicare options can be daunting, especially when it comes to Medicare Advantage Plans. Why? Because they...
April 1, 2024 -
`
5 Best Resistance Band Exercises for Upper & Lower Body Strength
Resistance bands are not just colorful accessories in your workout gear. They are the unsung heroes of fitness tools that can...
March 26, 2024 -
`
Big News for Maryland Residents: Health Insurance for All!
Imagine living in Maryland and needing medical care. But since you don’t have health insurance, how can you afford those massive...
March 18, 2024 -
`
Why Women Might Benefit More From Exercise Than Men
For years, the mantra for staying healthy has been clear: get moving. And while the benefits of exercise are undeniable for...
March 12, 2024 -
`
Protein’s Role in Your Diet: Friend or Foe?
Protein, a word synonymous with muscle building and healthy living, has become a major focus in our food choices. From protein-infused...
March 8, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login