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From The Hero with a Thousand Faces to Modern Science: How Chronic Stress Changes Our Brains?
In today's society, chronic stress has become an important factor affecting human physical and mental health. This stress can be caused by long-term internal or external stressors, whether it is an actual threat or memories of past difficulties, which can trigger similar reactions. Chronic stress not only affects the physiological functioning of the body, but can also profoundly change the structure and function of the brain.
Continuous stress response will lead to a series of physiological changes, ultimately affecting mental health and thinking ability.
Chronic stress and its sources
Chronic stress comes from many sources, common ones include financial pressure, marital distress, workplace problems, etc. Most of these stressors are persistent and recurring. Long-term stress accumulation can lead to overactivity of the stress system, further affecting health.
Historical evolution of physiological responses
The study of stress can be traced back to the early 20th century, when Hans Selye first proposed the concept of stress. Through experiments, he found that different types of stressors caused similar physiological responses, including glandular degeneration and the formation of ulcers. Seri's research pioneered the medical field of stress response and laid the foundation for subsequent research on chronic stress.
The hidden costs of chronic stress on the body are the result of a long period of research. This is called total ostasis burden.
The effects of chronic stress on the brain
When faced with sustained stress, the brain is the first system to be affected. Research shows that chronic stress inhibits the production of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two areas closely related to learning and memory. As these areas shrink, the amygdala (an area associated with anxiety and stress) may become enlarged due to increased demands.
Chronic stress not only accelerates brain aging but may also lead to a decline in learning and decision-making abilities.
The multiple effects of chronic stress
Chronic stress not only affects the nervous system, but also causes damage to the immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, etc. For example, chronic stress can cause increased blood pressure, muscle atrophy, and decreased immune system function. Such effects not only increase the risk of chronic disease but also make people less resistant to infection and inflammation.
Coping and Resilience
In the face of chronic stress, individual resilience becomes critical. Resilience is the ability to healthily handle stress and is influenced by a variety of resources, including personality traits, social support and cultural concepts. These factors work together to help individuals cope more effectively with life's challenges.
Individual mentality, social networks and cultural background may all affect the ability to cope with stress.
Future research directions
As chronic stress is better understood, scientists are beginning to explore more accurate ways to measure it. A major challenge in current stress measurement lies in its complexity and subjectivity. How to eliminate memory bias and define consistency will be the key to future research.
In summary, the impact of chronic stress on physical and mental health cannot be underestimated. The deeper question is, how to find effective coping strategies in such a social environment to reduce the erosion of stress in our lives?
