Stress is a common and inescapable aspect of everyday living. It takes many forms, ranging from the stress of juggling family, job, and school obligations to dealing with health, money, and relationships. When we encounter a possible threat, our minds and bodies mobilize to deal with it or avoid it, therefore going into fight or flight mode.
Physical symptoms associated with stress include headaches and chest pain. It can cause mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It can even lead to behavioural issues like outbursts of rage or overeating. However, stress can also cause some serious complications to your brain like:
- Chronic Stress can result in an increase in mental health issues or illnesses. Researchers have discovered that chronic stress contributes significantly to the emergence of several psychiatric diseases, including depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.According to studies, persistent stress causes long-term brain alterations. These alterations could explain why people who suffer chronic stress are more likely to develop mood and anxiety disorders later in life.
- Chronic stress can cause long-term changes in the structure and function of the brain. The gray matter is an important portion of the brain that is in charge of higher-order thinking including decision-making and problem-solving. However, the brain also contains “white matter,” which is made up of all the axons that communicate with other parts of the brain. Chronic stress causes myelin overproduction, which not only causes a short-term shift in the balance of white and gray matter, but can also cause long-term structural abnormalities in the brain.
- Have you ever noticed that after a stressful incident, your recall of the facts becomes hazy? That is because stress can make events difficult to recall. Even relatively small stress can have an instant impact on your memory, such as failing to remember where your car keys are or where you left your briefcase when you arrive late for work.
- In addition to altering the structure of the brain, the hormones that your body produces when stressed can damage neurons in your brain, particularly those that have recently formed.
- Stress not only slows the formation of brain cells, but it can also reduce overall brain capacity. Even in otherwise healthy persons, stress can cause shrinkage in brain regions responsible for emotion regulation, metabolism, and memory.
- When we are repeatedly exposed to high amounts of cortisol, we risk losing brain capacity, particularly in crucial areas such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
It’s crucial to realize that not every stress causes the same effects on the brain and neural networks. Good stress, or stress that allows you to perform effectively in the face of a problem, helps to wire the brain positively, resulting in stronger networks and more resilience. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can result in a variety of difficulties. Whereas good stress promotes resilience, chronic stress is more likely to raise your vulnerability to mental health problems later on.
Stress is an ever-present companion in our fast-paced world, and while it can push us in the short term, persistent stress has a negative impact on our brains. Remember that prioritizing your own well-being is not selfish; it is necessary for a healthy brain and a full existence. Adopting stress-management practices can help you build resilience, improve cognitive function, and protect your brain health for years.