Stress: The Neuroscience and Psychology of Managing It

Cedars-Sinai

Stress is a part of our lives. It's a daily occurrence, popping up when you most and least expect it to. Stress is caused by both internal and external factors, like our thoughts and our relationships. It's normal and unavoidable, unfortunately. There is, however, a point where stress can become unhealthy. Chronic stress can harm our physical and mental health. Let's explore stress and how it intersects neuroscience and psychology.

The main part of the brain involved in stress is the amygdala. Whenever we experience something stressful, like being unable to fall asleep or worrying about an impending exam, the amygdala signals the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus then signals to the adrenal glands, which then triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These hormones prepare the body to respond to the perceived threat by increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and mobilizing energy stores. However, if we are exposed to chronic stress, cortisol can have several negative effects on our health, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, weakened immune system, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, depression, and anxiety.

That's the neuroscience aspect of stress. Let's talk about the psychological aspect. Stress can have many psychological effects on our minds, such as negative thoughts and beliefs, irritability and anger, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, social withdrawal, feeling overwhelmed, and feeling helpless or hopeless. All of these effects can hinder our abilities to cope and overcome stress, which can lead to other problems like anxiety and depression. There's also the fact that the more stress we experience over time, the more likely we are to develop health problems. The bottom line: excessive and chronic stress is horrible for you. 

The good thing about stress is that even though there might be multiple things holding us back from coping with our stress, we can push past it. By identifying our stressors, changing our thinking, practicing relaxation techniques, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, spending time with loved ones, and seeking professional help, we can manage our stress healthier. We all know what methods of stress management work best for us. I personally like talking to my loved ones and journaling. Trying and testing different methods is the best way to find your optimal stress management method. Find a few and stick to them!

Stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn't have to control us. In fact, it can be a powerful motivator if we learn to manage it effectively. The best way to ensure that stress doesn't take over is to take the first step to manage it today. By taking care of ourselves and learning to manage stress effectively, we can live happier, healthier lives.

Start today!