Stress on the Brain :Stress on the Brain By Shanita Massey


The Brain & How it Works :The Brain & How it Works The brain is one of the most vital organs in the body. The brain gives us the ability to think, understand, and interpret information The brain is the center of the human nervous system. Therefore, it is closely associated with any changes in your system, including stress.


What is stress? :What is stress? It is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension


7 Leading Causes of Stress :7 Leading Causes of Stress Finances- loss of income, bankruptcy, having to make payments on a house, car, etc… Work- getting or keeping a job, struggle to move upwards in positions, type of work & its responsibilities Family- a family member being sick, pregnant, having a miscarriage, adoption, abortion, etc… Personal Concerns- may be going through some changes, legal situations, or may be wrestling with a bad habit Personal Health & Safety- women, more than men, tend to worry about other’s safety(crime is a factor) Personal Relationships- dating, separation, divorce, or re-marriage Death- the death of a loved one or a close friend Win or Lose- a young student makes it to college but stresses over leaving home or a great student stresses over a bully


How Stress Affects the Brain Functions :How Stress Affects the Brain Functions When stressful situations arise, different resources of the body respond by sending blood or oxygen into the vital parts to survive. Hence, other functions of the body are dismissed in order to cope with the threat. The extent of its effect on the brain depends on whether this is an acute or chronic type of stress. However, memory is the most affected function of the brain when stress is concerned. Acute stress has been detrimental to short-term memory, mostly verbal. As for chronic type of stress, the reduction of capacity for memory retention is even greater such that you may develop the inability to concentrate at work or remember important information.


How to Reduce Stress :How to Reduce Stress Keep a positive attitude Accept that there are events that you cannot control Be assertive instead of aggressive Learn to relax Exercise regularly Eat well-balanced meals Rest & sleep Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to reduce stress


Stress and Pain :Stress and Pain Severe stress causes permanent biochemical imbalances, sleeping problems, anxiety and depression, and increased sensitivity to pain. It also changes the way your brain processes information, including delayed reaction times, concentration and memory problems, impaired decision-making. Stress, pain, and your brain are thus an overlapping cause-and-effect system wherein stress impacts on your nervous system, which impacts upon your health.


How Stress Leads to Pain :How Stress Leads to Pain Lack of safety and support- you can never relax, which causes tension, which exacerbates pain Emotional disconnection- makes it harder to regulate feelings associated with stress and pain, leaving you more vulnerable to these problems. Increased physiological arousal- involves biochemical imbalances among other things, including increased levels of substance P, a neurotransmitter which increases your perception of pain Negative thinking- stress-related sleeping problems cause fatigue, which increases your sensitivity to pain Trauma(pain memories)- involves significant physiological and emotional changes, wherein pain can occur as part of an unresolved traumatic memory


The Relationship Between Stress & the Tension & Pain it Gives Rise to :The Relationship Between Stress & the Tension & Pain it Gives Rise to Tension caused by stress leads to narrowing of the arteries, disruption of the flow of blood to certain regions of the head and a reduction in the amount of blood flowing to that region If a tissue is deprived of blood this leads directly to pain, because a tense tissue on one side probably requiring greater amounts of blood and on the other side already having insufficient blood supply stimulates special pain receptors Pain leads to tension, tension to anxiety, and anxiety intensifies pain


The Relationship Between Stress & the Immune System :The Relationship Between Stress & the Immune System Physiological stress has an important effect on the immune system and results in its deterioration When under stress, the brain increases production of the cortisol hormone in the body, which weakens the immune system Psychological and physical stress have revealed that at times of intense stress there is a fall in immunity response linked to the hormonal balance


Differences in the brain :Differences in the brain Calm Brain Stressed Brain Severe stress also triggers changes in brain structure and functioning, such as decreased communication between the left and right hemispheres, and decreased ability of the brain to regulate itself.


Why All This Talk About Stress? :Why All This Talk About Stress? After physical injury, it is the second leading cause of chronic pain People who stress were more than twice as likely to have health problems(heart disease, diabetes, fractures and occupational health problems) The more stressful events a person has experienced, the greater their risk of pain and illness Stressed people are more likely to be injured at work and experience greater levels of disability than non-stressed people