Have you heard of chronic stress? This video teaches us everything we need to know about it.
Everyday life presents us with different challenges and situations we need to face. Sometimes the routine gets the best of ourselves, and we don’t get the chance to realize how tired and stressed we are. And we accept it because we fear we can’t change it, or we think that it will eventually change by itself. So, we don’t pay attention to the different signals our mind and body are sending to us.
We tend to accept stress and tiredness because we fear we can’t change it and don’t pay attention to the different signals our mind and body are sending us.
Nowadays, we tend to live in a hurry, always busy and with something in mind. We seem to forget that our minds, as well as our bodies, get tired and that the fair thing to do is give them a break.
We tend to think that stress is actually not that bad, and the truth is that we’re not giving it the importance and significance it has. Chronic stress can have consequences on your brain, and can even end up in more serious and delicate mental conditions such as depression or Alzheimer.
So, take five minutes to read and watch this video, is not too late to give yourself and your brain a break.
Are you sleeping restlessly, feeling moody, forgetting little things??
This might be your body telling you that you’re stressed out.
Stress can be handy, for a boost of extra energy and focus, or in some situations, it can push you to get that extra mile.
But when is continuous, it begins changing your brain.
Chronic stress like overworking or having arguments at home can affect brain size, structure and how it functions. Even at a genetic level
The big words down here, they’re a series of interactions between endocrine glands and the brain and the kidney, that control your body’s reaction to stress
When the brain detects stressful situations the HPA is activated and releases a hormone called cortisol, which makes your body react
But high levels of cortisol for long periods of time can affect your brain
The hippocampus deteriorates, which is the part that controls our learning, memories and stress control
The hippocampus also inhibits the activity of the HPA enzymes when it weakens, so it does your ability to control stress.
Cortisol can also make your brain shrink in size and produce the loss of synaptic connections between your neurons.
The shrinking of your prefrontal cortex, which controls concentration, decision-making and social interactions
It also leads to a fewer production of cells in the hippocampus, meaning that it gets harder to remember things and learning.
It sets the stage for much bigger mental problems.
Good news: You can do something about it! Activities as meditation and exercising increase the size of your hippocampus because they require you being aware and deep breathing.