Mind Matters: Seven Ways in which Stress Can Affect Your Brain

In the fast-paced world we live in, stress is an everyday companion. Have you ever stopped to think what is going on in your brain when you are experiencing high levels of stress? What if we told you that stress has the ability to change the way your brain works?

It’s time to uncover 7 ways in which stress can affect your brain:

1. Flood of Hormones: When you face a stressful situation, your body releases the stress hormones: cortisol and adrenaline. While these hormones are helpful in emergencies, too much of them for too long can be detrimental for your brain.
2. Structural Changes: Chronic stress can change and shrink the area of the brain that is important for memory and emotional control. 
3. Chemical Changes: Stress can disrupt the balance of chemicals that are important for regulating emotions and can result in symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
4. Inflammation: Stress can cause inflammation in the brain, which has been associated too some neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
5. Decision-Making: Stress can affect areas of the brain that is critical for decision-making, reasoning, and impulse control. As such, chronic stress can make it harder to think clearly, make good decisions, and solve problems successfully.
6. Sleep Problems: Stress can disturb healthy sleeping patterns. During sleep, the brain cleans up waste and toxins that have accumulated during the day and it consolidates new memories made. Getting a good night sleep contributes to neurological health, better mood, and better ability to concentrate.
7. Mental Health: Constant exposure to stress can put you at risk of several mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Here’s the bright side! There are ways to manage stress, and in turn reduce its negative impact on your brain and health. Some strategies include:

• Learning and implementing relaxation techniques
• Practicing mindfulness
• Physical exercise
• Having  a strong social support network
• Seeking professional help from an experienced mental health provider

Psychotherapy can be highly effective in helping you manage stress. It’s like having a supportive and trained guide that can listen to your worries and work with you to find and apply tools to help you feel more at ease.

If you are experiencing constant or severe stress that is affecting your mental health and quality of life, CONTACT US and we may be able to help.