How does stress affect your brain? It shrinks it! Find out why it happens and how to prevent it
Did you know that the stress that accompanies you when you are late at work, arguing with your partner or having sleepless nights has the power to shrink your brain?
Although it may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, it has been confirmed that chronic stress affects brain size and structure.
Read on to discover how stress impacts your mind and how to protect your brain health.
The double face of cortisol: from superhero to movie villain
Cortisol, the famous “stress hormone,” is like a guardian that, in adequate doses, keeps you alert and improves your short-term memory; like when you memorize a phone number quickly.
However, when stress becomes chronic, because you carry it around day after day, that guardian turns into a villain that robs you of abilities like learning, remembering, and thinking clearly.
How does stress affect your brain? It shrinks it in three ways
Imagine your brain as a complex communication system with different specialized areas. Chronic stress affects three of them:
- The amygdala shrinks : This is the center that processes your emotions, especially fear and anxiety. Chronic stress shrinks it, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression; it's as if your emotion detector loses sensitivity.
- The hippocampus withers : This area of the brain is like the hard drive of your computer: it stores your memories and helps you learn new things. But be careful, stress can slowly erase those files and make it harder for you to remember or learn things.
- The prefrontal cortex is thinning: imagine your brain as a hot air balloon. Stress gradually deflates it, especially in this part that functions as the “chief executive officer” and is responsible for planning, making decisions and maintaining control.
Women are more vulnerable to brain shrinkage
Women are particularly sensitive to stress.
It's as if their brains have extra "antennas" that pick up alarm signals more intensely, causing their body and mind to react more strongly to difficult situations.
The good news is that you can protect your brain and reverse the effects of stress!
4 Tips to Prevent Your Brain from Shrinking from Stress
Move daily
Walking, at least 30 minutes a day, acts as a protective shield against brain shrinkage.
7-9 hours of sleep
That's what you need to restore your brain, cleanse it of toxins and relax your nervous system.
Practice mindfulness
Yoga and meditation are like resistance training for your brain against stress.
Take advantage of supplementation
There are herbs and nutrients that can do your brain a huge favor and prevent it from shrinking.
- Sensoril® Ashwagandha : improves sleep, stress and anxiety, while supporting brain function.
- Magnesium Glycinate : Essential for healthy brain and nervous system function.
- B vitamins : are key to an active brain, giving you optimism, concentration and long-term health.
Do you want to know about other nutrients that help take care of your brain? Meet Serena, the anti-stress supplement.
Taking care of your brain is an act of self-love. Implement these tips in your daily life and start noticing the difference.
Important: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice. If you have any health conditions, please consult your doctor.
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