Chronic Stress Can Take A Toll On Your Cognitive Functions; Know How

Stress is a natural reaction that occurs when your body experiences changes or challenges (stressors). During such times, your body produces physical and mental responses which is known as stress. Stress responses help you adjust to new situations and can be good for you. However, stress can be a problem for your health if it becomes chronic. Yale Medicine says that chronic stress is a consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time. Chronic stress can happen due to several reasons. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress as it can impact your health, including mental health and cognitive functions among others. Here, take a look at how chronic stress can impact your cognitive functions.

Impaired MemoryChronic stress can impact the hippocampus which is the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Prolonged stress can cause difficulty in retaining information, recalling memories or forming new ones. This memory impairment often shows up as forgetfulness or confusion in daily tasks. Reduced Attention and FocusConstant stress reduces the brain’s ability to focus and concentrate. The prefrontal cortex which manages attention and decision-making becomes less efficient under chronic stress. This leads to difficulty in concentrating, mental fatigue and increased distractibility. Difficulty with Decision-MakingWhen you have chronic stress, the brain struggles to process information clearly and this leads to impaired decision-making. The constant release of stress hormones such as cortisol, interferes with cognitive processes which often leads to impulsive or poor decisions. Increased Mental FatigueChronic stress causes excessive pressure on the brain, leading to mental fatigue. This constant mental pressure makes it harder for you to think clearly, process information or solve problems. Over time, this can lead to burnout wherein even simple cognitive tasks become difficult. Poor Learning AbilityStress 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 harder to learn new skills or adapt to changes, thereby, hindering personal and professional growth. Emotional DysregulationThe impact of stress on cognitive functions often leads to difficulty in regulating emotions. The amygdala which is responsible for emotional responses becomes overactive, thereby, making it harder to manage emotions effectively. This emotional imbalance can impair judgment and further impact cognitive performance. Reduced Problem-Solving SkillsChronic stress affects the brain’s ability to think critically and creatively. Stress hormones impact the prefrontal cortex, thereby, hindering the brain’s ability to solve problems effectively. This results in slower thinking and difficulty finding innovative solutions. Increased Risk of Cognitive DeclineProlonged exposure to chronic stress accelerates the ageing of the brain and increases the risk of cognitive decline. The continuous release of cortisol can lead to shrinkage of brain structures, especially in the hippocampus which might increase the risk of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease over time.