The effect of stress on our brain – Uplifers

Everyone knows that stress negatively affects our lives. So what do we know about its negative effects on brain health? In a study conducted in England (McManus, E. et al., 2022). A study was conducted with four groups with high and low levels of stress in childhood and / or adulthood. The hippocampus, an area of ​​the brain associated with learning and memory, was examined. At the end of the study, in childhood and adulthood, Both men and women who experienced high levels of stress were found to have severe dysfunction in the hippocampus. In short, these areas have been observed to shrink. This is because chronic stress increases cortisol levels and long-term cortisol. (See: Cortisol is a hormone produced in the lining of the adrenal glands and is associated with the body’s response to stress) The exposed hippocampus will begin to shrink. Researchers also note that long-term stress also leads to mental health problems due to its effect on serotonin levels.

We talked about the negative impact of long-term stress on our brain. So, how do you think daily short-term but intense intermittent stress affects our brain? A 2005 study by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay examined the effects of daily stress on episodic memory (remembering everyday and past personal experiences). The subjects were 98 adults aged 19 to 89 years. The results show that daily stress can accelerate the age-related deterioration of episodic memory. between stress and cognitive decline showed attitude.

Thus, long-term or short-term stress is a very effective factor that impairs the perception, memory and learning functions of our brain. With prolonged stress, these effects appear only slightly faster, but the result is always the same.

How to deal with stress While there are many ways to do this, getting professional support is the most effective, especially for chronic stress. everyday stress What can be done for:

• Meditation
• breathing exercises
• Mindfulness exercises
• The exercise
• Socialization
• You can list activities such as keeping a diary.

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