Crashing from Chronic Stress

Did you know that chronic stress can cause brain damage? Dr. Mark Hyman discusses in UltraMind Solution that Dr. Robert Sapolsky of Stanford University has mapped out why chronic stress damages our brain.  Stress increases the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol as one of the way’s the body combats the physical effects of stress.

Over the course of time we may experience impaired memory, dementia, and depression do to the effects of these hormones chronically running high.  Our body was not designed to run in fight or flight all the time.  I liken it to driving a car with the gas pedal to the floor all the time; pretty soon the parts wear out and the car breaks down. The same happens to our bodies. We’ll go, go, go without rest and when the body has had enough … it breaks down.

What does this mean to you? The next time you’re stressed remember that it is this is eating away at brain – literally!  Take yourself on a mini-vacation for a few minutes. Go outside and get some air, eat a healthy snack, put on your favorite music, or even do a few stretches. You’ll be amazed at what this does for that icky feeling pent up in your body.  Something as simple as sitting in a garden can be great anxiety therapy.