What Causes Stress to Affect the Nervous System?
To explain why this happens, it is important to understand that the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays a key role in the “fight-or-flight” response, which is triggered by psychological stress and leads to well-known symptoms such as:
- Increased heart rate.
- Rapid breathing.
- Dilated blood vessels in the arms and legs.
- Elevated blood sugar levels.
- Digestive disturbances.
This shows the nervous system is closely tied to the stress response, helping explain why stress has such a direct effect on it.
What Are the Types of Stress Effects on the Nervous System?
Cortisol, the hormone released in greater quantities during psychological stress, can have numerous harmful effects, especially on the brain, which is part of the central nervous system (CNS). The most notable effects include:
- Damage to cells in the hippocampus—a brain region also known as the Ammon’s horn.
- Premature aging of brain cells.
- Reduction in brain volume.
- Suppression of the production of new neurons, making it more difficult to repair stress-related damage.
These effects—if not all of them—are largely attributed to cortisol. When cortisol enters the brain during times of stress, it binds to receptors inside neurons, increasing calcium intake, which overstimulates and eventually kills these cells.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of These Effects?
Now that we understand how stress affects the nervous system, it’s important to highlight that practicing effective coping strategies can significantly reduce the severity of its impact on the brain and the entire nervous system, helping to prevent the aforementioned effects. These strategies include:
- Engaging in physical activities: Even light physical movement has been shown to reduce the severity of stress and boost energy levels, which helps in better managing and confronting stress.
- Sticking to a daily routine: Creating a consistent schedule for work, sleep, and activities helps bring order to your life, reducing the likelihood of stress.
- Practicing meditation: Meditation increases your ability to manage stress and mitigates its negative effects. Practicing it puts the mind in a balanced and peaceful state and helps you live in the present moment without being distracted by past regrets or future worries. Don’t forget to download the Tawazon app to explore detailed information on various types of meditation and enjoy a collection of guided meditations and podcasts.
