Have you ever wondered why you forget things or feel mentally blank when you’re under stress?
Stress is the body’s natural, automatic response to changes, challenges, or perceived threats. At first, it may seem like a problem we need to eliminate. But behind the scenes, stress actually has the power to work in our favor.
Our body’s fight-or-flight response exists because of stress hormones. This mechanism is designed to protect us in dangerous situations. For example, if you suddenly see a snake, your stress response immediately prepares your body to either run away or defend yourself. In that moment, stress becomes your protector.
Short-term stress can sharpen focus, boost alertness, and even motivate us to act. However, when stress becomes constant and long-term, it starts to harm both our physical and mental health.
This is why learning stress management is essential.Researchers explain that when one part of the brain becomes highly active during stress, other parts may receive less energy to perform their normal functions. In emotionally intense or threatening situations, the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for survival instincts—takes control.
As a result, areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and higher-order thinking temporarily receive fewer resources.As Dr. Kerry Ressler explains, “The basic idea is that the brain is shunting its resources because it’s in survival mode, not memory mode.”
This is why you may feel forgetful, mentally exhausted, or even experience memory lapses during stressful or traumatic events.Understanding this helps us realize that stress is not just an emotional experience—it is a biological process. And managing it wisely can protect both our mind and body.
That’s exactly the case with those children who suffer from childhood trauma either because of the fight between their parents or any other worst case scenarios, those children rarely remember their childhood memories as their brain’s memory storing power was already busy in handling the situations.
Stress is inevitable. From frustration in traffic to fear brought by any other calamity, stress constantly intrudes in our life. But you can overcome the damaging consequences of stress by calling upon your body’s potential for self healing.
How to protect yourself from damaging Stress?
- Establish some control over your situation. Not by thinking about the worst case scenarios but by being prepared in the present moment by having a good routine.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation makes parts of the brain that handle higher- order functions work less well.
- Get organised. Manage workload by creating a list of tasks you need to accomplish, so that duties don’t seem overwhelming.
- Take help if you need it.
- Change your attitude towards Stress.“A life without stress is not only impossible, but also would likely be pretty uninteresting.” Certain degree of stress is helpful for growth.
Managing stress is less about control and more about regulation.”
Is your mind your safest place or your loudest battlefield.
Great work