The Effects of Stress on the Brain
I have reported on the effects of too much stress on the brain
before, but I thought it was time for a summary of what I have
found in the research, which is below. Following that are some
suggestions for stress relief.
Some Good Effects of Stress?
Interestingly, a little stress may improve attention and memory
in the short term. This makes sense from an evolutionary viewpoint.
When faced with real physical threats we need to have a heightened
awareness and ability to deal with the crisis.
However, most of us in the modern world rarely face real and
immediate physical threats, yet we still have the stress response.
In fact, we normally have it as a reaction to nothing but our
own thoughts. Unfortunately, unlike animals (or our human ancestors)
which release the stress and the hormones they create by running
away or taking other actions, our stress tends to remain for
hours at a time, sometimes getting worse as we have more anxiety-causing
thoughts.
The result? Possibly brain damage, the research suggests.
Cortisol and other adrenal steroid hormones are released during
the stress response, and if the exposure is repeated and for
long periods of time, these substances can damage the brain.
They can block the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus,
preventing the storing of new memories. Some recent research
suggest that chronic stress can lead indirectly to cell death
as well.
This is especially disturbing because the damage may reduce
our ability to creatively solve our problems or even make the
changes necessary to reduce the stress which is causing the damage
in the first place. In other words, it can become downward spiral
of reduced brain function which reduces one's ability to deal
with the causes, which then allows for more of the same. It appears
that our modern stress does far more harm than good, both to
the brain and the rest of the body.
Reducing the Effects of Stress
How do you best reduce or prevent chronic stress? There are
a number of ways that have been covered in the Brainpower Newsletter
and on this website. Meditation is very helpful for some people.
The use of relaxing brainwave entrainment CDs helps as well.
Regular exercise, humor and positive social interaction all seem
to work for many people. Alcohol and other drugs may provide
temporary relief, but generally cause more damage than they can
prevent.
Of course, removing the causes of stress may seem like a natural
solution, but this can be a tricky one. Often this approach becomes
a mere avoidance of things and situations which cause us fear
or discomfort. This can limit your opportunities in life and
stunt your growth as a person. In fact, responding to fear by
avoiding the people and situations which cause it may strengthen
the fearful response, causing more anxiety.
This is where a bit of self awareness and a different perspective
may be necessary. If we watch ourselves closely, we can see that
with the exception of fear and stress related to immediate threats,
like an animal attack, our response is not primarily to the event
itself, but to our own thoughts. In other words, the causes are
not out there, but in our own minds. If we see it from this perspective,
then we can start to resolve the causes without avoidance of
the things and situations we imagine to be the root of the problem.
This is a much healthier approach.
I have written on this before, especially on the problem of
identifying with one's anxious or fearful thoughts. The short
lesson: Your thoughts are not you, and you do not have to take
their advice, nor do you have to believe their demands. I will
write on this topic again both on this website and others, but
for now I will leave you with a quote:
Stress Exists because we insist.
- Guy Finley
|
