Understanding the Effects of Chronic Stress on the Brain
Life can be stressful, and while short bursts of stress can be helpful (like when you’re meeting a deadline or giving a big presentation), chronic stress is an entirely different story. When stress becomes a constant companion, it can take a toll not just on your body and brain. Let’s explore how chronic stress impacts your brain and what can help.
What Happens to Your Brain During Chronic Stress?
Neuroscience provides a deeper understanding of how stress rewires the brain and offers tools for healing.
Stress activates the brain’s “fight-or-flight” response (sympathetic nervous system), releasing hormones like cortisol to help you respond to immediate challenges. But when stress becomes chronic, these hormonal surges start to create wear and tear on your brain. Here’s what can happen:
Shrinkage of the Hippocampus: The hippocampus, a part of the brain crucial for memory and learning, can shrink under prolonged stress, making it harder to retain information.
Overactive Amygdala: The amygdala, which regulates fear and emotional responses, can become overactive (like a too sensitive car alarm). This can lead to heightened anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, and an increased sense of threat.
Weakened Prefrontal Cortex: Chronic stress is distracting! It can inhibit the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s command center for decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control. This is why stress can leave you feeling scattered.
Healing the Stressed Brain
The good news? Your brain is resilient, ever-changing, and capable of healing with the right support. Here are some steps you can take:
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation and breathing (tip: longer exhales!) can support the “rest and digest” functions of our parasympathetic nervous system - reducing the amygdala’s overactivity.
Therapy for Traumatic Stress or PTSD: For those with chronic stress and traumatic histories, there is hope and help. Cognitive processing therapy, a gold-standard, researched-backed treatment for PTSD can help you bring your prefrontal cortex back online and feel less “stuck.”
Building Executive Function: For those whose executive function is affected by stress, neuropsychologists can offer strategies to improve organization, focus, and self-regulation through cognitive rehabilitation (kind of like physical therapy for your thinking).
Tailored Treatment: From targeted online therapy sessions to holistic approaches that integrate body and emotions, your treatment should align with your unique needs and experiences.
Stress Doesn’t Have to Define You
It’s easy to feel stuck when stress seems to have taken over, but there is hope.
If chronic stress is impacting your life, reaching out for support is a powerful first step. Whether you’re seeking therapy for PTSD, strategies for executive function, or simply a space to understand and process your experiences, reach out. Your brain—and your well-being—deserve care, balance, and healing. Let’s uncover your resilience together.
