By Stress is a fact of life, and in certain cases, its acute appearance can be more or less motivational for simple survival purposes (bring it on). However, chronic stress can destroy brain cells—cells that will never regenerate! By incorporating insights from Upscale Living Psychology, we can use psychological science to understand this phenomenon and potentially design our stress responses for better mental health and well-being.
The Psychology of Stress
Psychologically, stress is a response to something that can be seen as threatening or overpassing our ability to handle it. This perception is what triggers our “fight or flight” response (a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something dangerous to protect us). Although this reply can be helpful over the short term, long-lasting stress has opposing effects on the brain and body.
Effects of Stress on the Brain
Stress knowingly affects the brain and, in specific, areas such as the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory storage and formation, is known to shrink and destroy under determined stress states, contributing towards faded memories and mental impairments. The amygdala, which is the part of our mind that deals with emotions, gets overactive and so generates more responses that are anxiety- and fear-based.
Physical Consequences of Stress
The premiere of the effects of stress on your body is equally prominent. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released into the body when it is under stress. Though these hormones are necessary for immediate survival, if you stay in this state too long, it can wreak havoc on your health. Increased cortisol production leads to weight gain, particularly around the midsection, elevation of blood sugar levels and suppression of the immune system, thus making you more vulnerable for illnesses. Furthermore, stress has connections to cardiovascular problems.
Managing Stress for Better Health
Knowing how stress impacts the brain and body highlights the necessity of inner peace strategies. These include mindfulness, exercise, sleep and social engagement. Stress also leads to changes in thought patterns that affect behavior, making interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helpful in improving coping mechanisms.
While stress is a normal response to the demands we face, it can cause significant effects if left unattended. Insights from Upscale Living Psychology also attest that exposure to stress has deleterious ramifications on the brain and throughout the body, suggesting a proactive commitment towards managing your emotions may be essential for sustaining general health.
