Page 27 - The Brain Health Guide
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THE BRAIN HEALTH GUIDE
            tress affects people in many different ways. It often creeps up
        Swhen we feel overwhelmed or feel pressured to accomplish
        something in a short amount of time.
        Stress triggers an alarm in the brain, telling our bodies that
        something  is  wrong.  The  “fight  or  flight”  response  calls  in
        the nervous system to respond and hormones to be released,
        jolting the body into action. Muscles become tense, breathing
        increases and pulse rates quicken.
        Heightening the senses during a crisis is essential to survival.
        This is a natural and important biological response. The body
        is designed for short bursts of activity in response to stress or
        danger, but the ongoing nature of daily stress often means that
        the system is left “on” to respond.

        Recognize that you can learn how to lead a less stressful life.
        Recognize too, that when you alleviate the stress, it can help
        you live a longer, healthier life.

        Most of us worry about things that make us feel stressed, but
        some  people  spend  an  excessive  amount  of  time  worrying
        about tomorrow. Someone once said, “Don’t tell me that worry
        isn’t good for you. I know better. The things I worry about
        don’t happen.”
        Many chronic worriers probably wish they could change the
        way they view the world, but they simply don’t know how to
        stop worrisome thoughts.

        Stress Signals
        Stress reactions vary from person to person, and can involve
        mental, physical or behavioral changes. Headaches and fatigue
        are common signals that the body is over-worked.

        While you may have a mild headache due to stress, another
        person’s headache may be so uncomfortable they have difficulty
        concentrating. A stress-related headache may also mean you
        have tight muscles or have difficulty sleeping.

        Some people experience a combination of stress signals making


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