Stress: A Fine Art of Gradually Losing Your Mind

If you feel like you've been under a lot of stress lately, it’s probably true: there’s always tedious work that needs to be done ASAP, things that bring you down or drain your energy and people who don’t understand or appreciate you or seem to be constantly picking fights with you. Still, that’s no excuse to let stress get the better of you – if you’re not careful, you risk losing much more than your peace of mind and level-headed attitude. It’s been proven that extended periods of intense stress can lead to gradual deterioration of both brain function and structure. The medical bit: Stress-induced hormones impacting the brain Cortisol and other hormones released in reaction to increase stress can considerably hinder or prevent development and production of new neurons in hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for learning, emotional balance, memory and response to stressful situations. In case of prolonged periods of tension and pressure, excess production of stress-related hormones can impact the media prefrontal cortex, amygdala and stem cells, contributing to frequent bouts of impulsive behaviour, anxiety, fear, aggression and depression, inadequate decision-making processes, social interactions and hampered working and learning memory. Pause to reflect: Identify and eliminate external stressors One of the best ways to prevent damage to your brain and mental condition in case of increased stress levels is to monitor your emotional and psychological state. Try to identify common stressors and eliminate them from your everyday environment, and find activities and hobbies that promote stress relief. In case of repetitive bouts of anxiety, mood swings, depressive episodes or increased frequency of conflicts with other people, it may be wise to consult a professional psychologist or psychotherapist for adequate treatment and medical remedies to counteract the negative impact of stress on your mind, emotions, health and overall well-being. Time to take action: DIY stress relief mechanisms If you decide to counter stress on your own, you should set aside some time to reflect on the activities you consider rewarding, beneficial and relaxing. Here are some practical tips which you can use to keep stress at bay and promote your emotional and mental balance, development and overall health for both the body and the mind:

• exercise regularly: comprehensive medical research has shown that regular gym, sports or aerobics sessions can help relieve and channel stress, anxiety, tension and negative energy and keep depression, aggression and serious psychological conditions at bay. To combat stress, make sure you get some regular workout – it will strengthen both your body and mind;

• take up a hobby: hobbies and leisure activities like knitting, reading, writing, photography and gardening help bring out your creativity and personal expression, which can contribute to longevity, healthier lifestyle, increased levels of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine and better response to everyday stress;

• meditation and yoga: ancient Eastern techniques for achieving emotional and psychological balance, meditation and yoga are a highly effective stress deterrent and remedy, so if you feel like you’re falling apart with pressure and tension, set aside some time for concentration and moderate physical activity to encourage inner balance and peace of mind;

• take time off: if you can afford it, take time off work or house-bound chores and disengage yourself from the environment you find stressful. Take a holiday, travel, book a spa session or spend several days in one of the special health resorts to replenish your energy, recover peace of mind and give your overworked brain some decent rest.

Countering stress is not easy, but it is essential for preserving a healthy lifestyle, emotional balance, peace and overall well-being.