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Chronic stress can take a toll on your cognitive functions; technical information
Chronic stress is a feeling of constant pressure and overwhelm over a long period of time. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress because it can affect your health, including mental health and cognitive function. Read on to learn how chronic stress can affect your cognitive functions.
Learn how chronic stress can impact your cognitive functions
Stress is a natural response that occurs when your body experiences changes or challenges (stress). At such times your body produces a physical and mental response known as stress. Stress responses help you adjust to new circumstances and can be good for you. However, if stress becomes chronic it can become a problem for your health.
Yale Medicine says so chronic stress There is a persistent feeling of pressure and feeling overwhelmed for a long time. Chronic stress can occur for many reasons. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress as it can impact your health, including mental health. cognitive function among others.
Here, see how chronic stress can affect your cognitive functions.
poor memory
Chronic stress can affect the hippocampus which is the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Prolonged stress can cause difficulty retaining information, recalling memories, or forming new memories. This memory loss often shows up as forgetfulness or confusion in daily tasks.
decreased attention and focus
Chronic stress reduces the brain’s ability to concentrate and concentrate. The prefrontal cortex, which manages attention and decision making, becomes less efficient under long-term stress. This leads to difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue and increased distraction.
Difficulty in taking decisions
When you are under stress for a long time, the brain struggles to process information clearly and this affects the ability to make decisions. The persistent secretion of stress hormones, such as cortisol, interferes with cognitive processes often leading to impulsive or poor decisions.
increased mental fatigue
Constant stress puts excessive pressure on the brain, causing mental fatigue. This constant mental pressure makes it difficult for you to think clearly, process information, or solve problems. Over time, this can lead to burnout in which even simple cognitive tasks become difficult.
poor learning ability
Stress impairs the brain’s ability to absorb and process new information. Chronic stress reduces neuroplasticity which is the brain’s ability to form new connections. This can make it difficult to learn new skills or adapt to changes, which can hinder personal and professional growth.
emotional dysregulation
Difficulty regulating emotions often occurs due to the effects of stress on cognitive functions. The amygdala, which is responsible for emotional responses, becomes overactive, making it harder to manage emotions effectively. This emotional imbalance can impair judgment and further impair cognitive performance.
lack of problem-solving skills
Chronic stress affects the brain’s ability to think critically and creatively. Stress hormones affect the prefrontal cortex, hindering the brain’s ability to effectively solve problems. This results in slow thinking and difficulty finding innovative solutions.
increased risk of cognitive decline
Prolonged exposure to chronic stress accelerates brain aging and increases the risk of cognitive decline. The persistent release of cortisol can cause shrinkage of brain structures, particularly the hippocampus, which may increase the risk of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease over time.
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