Actively Managing Your Stress... Your Brain Health Depends On It

It's not the stress that gets to you. It's your reaction to it. While we can't remove stress in this time period, there are strategies to help you better cope with it.

Posted 6:30 p.m. Oct 9, 2020 — Updated 6:30 p.m. Oct 9, 2020

Lisa Levine

You’ve heard it before. It’s not the stress that gets you, it’s your reaction to it. But it’s not easy for most of us to just let go of stress, is it?

Chronic stress, stress happening over a prolonged period of time and the stress hormone, cortisol, are what can lead to health problems and long-term effects.

From our brain’s perspective, some stress can be good. It strengthens areas in which it occurs. However, stress halts the production of new brain cells. It is associated with depression, a greater risk of mental illness, and causes us to be more emotional. Stress affects the hippocampus, the area of the brain which is the center of memory. Stress also affects the prefrontal cortex which houses impulse control and decision making.

While we cannot remove stress from our lives, learning to better actively cope with stress can minimize its negative effects.

Establish routines!

Stick to some routine and when stress interferes, focus on that routine.

Breathe!

When we are stressed we forget to take deep breaths. Our brain and body need fresh oxygen to work and they need more when stressed.

Move!

Exercise is one of the most efficient ways to work through stress. It helps our body have something else to focus on, gives our brain an outlet, reduces cortisol while boosting the feel-good hormones, endorphins, gives us energy and helps with blood flow.

Sleep!

Lack of sleep is a risk factor for dementia. And while stress can lead to sleeplessness, our brain needs sleep to function. Our bodies restore and repair itself while w+e sleep. Sleep calms us, improves concentration, regulates mood and sharpens decision-making.

Find a method of relaxation that works for you.

Practice mindfulness, meditate, practice yoga, pray, use deep breathing, music or try laughing out loud.

Finally, as we move throughout the day experiencing life, it’s joys and its stressors, keep this in mind. Self-talk – the way your inner voice makes sense of the world around you and the way you communicate with your inner self – can greatly affect your stress levels.

Need some inspiration?

Dementia Alliance of North Carolina is hosting the Move to De-feet Dementia series, a statewide fundraising campaign that will unite us all across the state to engage together and help families access CARE – Comfort, Assistance, Resources & Education. This event is ‘virtual’ so participate wherever you are! Learn more or register at here.

For additional details about managing stress, please visit Dementia Alliance of North Carolina’s Blog.

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