It's a well-documented fact that excess stress, and the hormones the body releases in response to it, can bring about a series of medical complications. Consistent surges of adrenaline and cortisol – both of which play a part in our biological "fight or flight" instinct – can cause heart problems, digestive issues and even prevent you from getting some decent shuteye.
Based on this fact, it's easy to assume that people who deal with stressful situations on a regular basis, such as high-power CEOs and surgeons, are the most prone to these complications. However, according to a recent study conducted at Pennsylvania State University, the damage done to brain health has more to do with each individual's reaction to stress rather than the quantity of stressors they encounter on a regular basis.
Using data from the National Institute of Aging's Midlife in the United States study, medical analysts from the university sought to establish how the prevalence of stressful events in a person's life, as well as his or her unique reactions to them, affected that individual's health 10 years on. In addition to reviewing the collected dataset, the scientists reached out to 2,000 participants by phone to get a better sense of their daily lives and typical responses to the stressors they encounter.
ScienceDaily reports that the researchers discovered a clear correlation between how people handled stress and their likelihood of contracting chronic illnesses as they aged. People who were better able to essentially shake off anxiety-inducing occurrences, the source explains, were generally happier and healthier a decade down the line.
As well as pursuing proper nutrition for the mind, it's important to identify ways that you may be doing harm to it. Click here for information on our stress management products.