High-Octane Brain by Michelle Braun

Author:Michelle Braun [Braun, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Published: 2020-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Step 4: Lower Stress and Boost Well-Being

“Do not let the fact that things are not made for you, that conditions are not as they should be, stop you. Go on anyway. Everything depends on those who go on anyway.”

—ROBERT HENRI

The human body is primed to respond rapidly and effectively to acute (sudden) stressors. Within milliseconds of a potential threat—a loud noise, a child wandering near the street, the unexpected brake lights of the car in front of us—a surge of hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) prepares us to spring into action for safety and survival. However, repeated exposure to stressful situations often wreaks havoc on the body, mood, and brain. Not only does chronic stress increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, it is also linked to depression. A growing body of research also shows a strong relationship between chronic stress and Alzheimer’s disease.

Consider the following questions about your experiences in the past month:

1. How often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?

2. How often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?

3. How often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?

4. How often have you felt that things weren’t going your way?

5. How often have you felt that you were on top of things?

6. How often have you felt that difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?

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