Some people cope with it better than others. But there’s probably no one who hasn’t experienced stress. Our hands start to shake, our foreheads break out in a sweat, and we feel as if someone were tightening a noose around our necks. These are the basic symptoms of stress. But did you know that stress affects our brain’s function and development?
What Happens Inside the Brain
During stressful situations, the body produces substances that help us cope with these situations, including adrenaline and cortisol. While adrenaline is released from the body very quickly, cortisol can remain in the body throughout the day, which is dangerous for our system.
When there is an excess of the stress hormone cortisol—which is produced in the adrenal glands—the formation of new neurons in a part of the brain called the hippocampus is halted. The hippocampus is important for proper learning, spatial orientation, and the storage of new information. Excess cortisol can also lead to weight gain, digestive problems, or heart disease.
Chronic (long-term) stress negatively affects our decision-making and working memory and causes us to act impulsively. We are therefore more prone to anxiety and depression. Furthermore, a part of the brain called the amygdala is affected. It is also known as the brain’s fear center. Stress increases its size, creating even more fear and anxiety within us. It’s a vicious cycle.
A very concerning effect of stress on our brain is the increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for it. In older adults, chronic stress causes dementia and accelerates its progression.
Chronic stress also leads to a decrease in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin—also known as the “happiness hormone”—helps us cope with stressful situations and puts us in a good mood. We should therefore strive to produce as much serotonin in our bodies as possible. You can learn how to increase serotonin production in your body in this article.
Good stress helps
In contrast to chronic stress, there is also what’s known as “good stress.” Eustress is a pleasant form of stress that doesn’t harm us. We experience it, for example, during sports or other physical activities that make us feel happy and excited, or when we achieve success at work or in our studies.
It’s better to prevent stress than to deal with it later
Do people around you sometimes say that every little thing throws you off balance? Do you often find yourself in stressful situations? That means you’re not prepared for stress, and you’re exposing yourself to the risks mentioned above. Learn to resist stress, and if stress does happen to get the better of you, you won’t have as much trouble getting rid of it.
There are several ways to prevent stress proactively. One option is to “immunize” yourself against stress on an ongoing basis. Small doses of stress build up our resilience, and over time, the body gets used to it. However, this kind of “immunization” happens in everyday life, and you can actively seek it out. If you have trouble communicating with strangers, try asking random people every day what time it is.
Another way to prevent stress is to assess whether the reason you’re stressing out is actually important. Are you getting upset over trivial matters that aren’t worth it?
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