LIFESTYLE NEWS - So why do we have so much trouble taking action to reduce our stress levels and improve our lives?
Researchers at Yale University finally have the answer. They found that stress reduces the volume of grey matter in the areas of the brain responsible for self-control.
So experiencing stress actually makes it more difficult to deal with future stress because it diminishes your ability to take control of the situation, manage your stress and keep things from getting out of control.
A vicious cycle if there ever was one.
But don’t be disheartened. It’s not impossible to reduce your stress levels; you just need to make managing stress a higher priority if you want to reverse this effect.
The sooner you start managing your stress effectively, the easier it will be to keep unexpected stress from causing damage in the future.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” –William James
Luckily, the plasticity of the brain allows it to mold, change, and rebuild damaged areas as you practice new behaviours. So implementing healthy stress-relieving techniques can train your brain to handle stress more effectively and decrease the likelihood of ill effects from stress in the future.
“No” is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield.
There are several strategies to help you fix your brain and keep your stress under control:
Say no
Research conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, shows that the more difficulty that you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout, and even depression.
Saying no is indeed a major challenge for many people. “No” is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield. When it’s time to say no, avoid phrases such as “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.”
Saying no to a new commitment honours your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfil them.
