Stress and the Effects on the Brain

We’re living in a world of pressures. Many of us feel pressured to accomplish more and more. We add layers and layers of expectations, distractions, to-do’s on our to-do lists. As we layer on more and more, our bodies and minds feel more and more stressed. We may enter cognitive overload. In this state, we stop thinking clearly, tasks take longer to complete.

Stress, pressure, fatigue, poor self-care all damage neural connections between the brain’s prefrontal cortex and the rest of the brain. The brain’s “higher,” more evolved, prefrontal cortex goes offline and it starts using more primitive stimulus/response pathways in the amygdala. Under chronic stress, we tend toward rigid thinking, reactive behavior, distracted attention, worry, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

The stress (fight or flight) response releases adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, which leads to faster heart rate, increased cardiac output and narrower arteries. In our chronically stressed world, this can cause fatigue, high blood pressure, eating and sleeping disorders, a weakened immune system and other stress related ailments.

Mindfulness mediation and stress reduction coaching can help you learn to manage stress more effectively. Book a coaching session today!