Stress & the Body
This response prepares your body to deal with danger.
Fight or flight response
A mild level of stress can help you improve this important cognitive skill.
Learning (memory)
This type of physical activity is known to reduce stress by creating new neurons.
Exercise
An example of an embarrassing situation that could trigger fight or flight.
Dropping your tray
A sudden temperature change before a test can boost this mental ability.
Memory performance
These are two common stress hormones.
Adrenaline and cortisol
Persistent stress over days or weeks can cause this common sleep issue.
Sleeplessness (insomnia)
Spending time with friends releases this hormone that reduces stress.
Oxytocin
Even though originally useful for survival, the stress response today is often triggered by this type of situation.
Everyday situations (deadlines, arguments, embarrassment)
When stress is frequent, the HPA-axis stays activated because it anticipates this.
Future stressful events
This organ in the brain acts as a hormonal control center during stress.
Hypothalamus
Constant activation of this signaling pathway leads to health problems.
HPA-axis
Breathing exercises and journaling are examples of this kind of stress-reducing practice.
Mindfulness
A short-term stress response usually lasts for this amount of time.
15 to 30 minutes
The hippocampus, which helps with learning, is sensitive to this hormone.
Cortisol
When stress hormones are released, this happens to your heart rate.
It increases
Teens' brains become more reactive to stress to encourage these two behaviors.
Exploration and learning
Exercise may help the brain become more resilient by producing these brain cells.
Neurons
This bodily reaction gives the brain more energy during stress.
Increased heart rate (or more oxygen)
Long-term activation of stress responses can negatively affect this body system responsible for processing food.
Digestive system
This small gland in the brain is alerted by the hypothalamus to release hormones.
Pituitary gland
High stress levels can negatively affect your thinking, leading to this feeling of mental confusion.
Brain fog
Doing this simple activity every day can help you understand your thoughts better.
Journaling
Stress hormones travel through the body using this.
Bloodstream
This health issue related to chronic stress affects the cardiovascular system.
Heart disease