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Neuroscientists say that chronic stress causes brain damage. Learn the signs and actions you can ... More take to prevent future problems.
As we spotlight National Stress Awareness in April, it’s important to acknowledge that stress is a normal part of our daily lives. It actually has a good side when we learn from it and get stronger. But just as professional football players and boxers suffer brain damage from constant punches to the head, research shows that chronic stress causes structural damage to the brain circuitry, leading to long-term harm on the nervous system.
Neurological Dangers Of Chronic Stress
Before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, APA’s 2024 Stress in America™ survey showed that 77% of adults said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress in their lives and 51% said the uncertainty about the election caused them stress. These statistics are alarming. Economic uncertainty. Threats of a recession. Massive layoffs. Effects of new tariffs. RTO mandates forcing you back into the office after feeling productive working remotely.
A work culture that thrives on crisis, chaos and pressure are examples of chronic stress that can cause atrophy of the brain mass and decrease in brain weight. When you add persistent job stress and personal pressures on top of national and global stress, it’s easy to see how repeated bombardment of the brain--like a football player or boxer--can lead to psychological and physical disorders.
A work culture that thrives on crisis, chaos and pressure are examples of chronic stress that can cause atrophy of the brain mass and decrease in brain weight. Repeated pressures and demands from upper management. That sinking feeling in your stomach before a presentation to colleagues. Struggling with an impossible deadline. Negative chatter circling in your head like a school of sharks. An abusive boss. Sexual harassment. A bullying coworker.
Chronic stress can cause mood disorders, anxiety and depression and decreases in cognitive flexibility and your brain’s prefrontal cortex, necessary for focused attention and executive functioning. Chronic stress can even raise the risk of diabetes, heart disease and memory loss from the shrinkage of the hippocampus--even degenerative brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
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