Is Stress Wrecking Your Memory

We all get stressed out from time to time. 

Things happen in life. Maybe you’re having a hard time paying off a medical bill… or fretting over getting a new car… or even worrying about family issues.  

But when the occasional stressor turns into a way of life, it can negatively impact your health, particularly your brain.  

In fact, a new study shows that experiencing high-stress levels can WRECK your memory! 

Here’s everything you need to know to keep your memory intact.

For the new study, researchers from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, surveyed nearly 25,000 older participants, asking about their stress levels and health. Next, they were given a cognitive function assessment.  

Ultimately, the data showed that folks with higher stress levels were nearly 40 percent more likely to experience cognitive decline – the forerunner to dementia.  

But there’s more bad news…  

Elevated stress levels were also linked to higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. However, even after controlling for those risk factors, stress was still an independent risk factor for cognitive decline.

This means that regardless of your overall health – good or bad – stress can still have a HUGE impact on your memory! 

Other research shows that stress is so damaging because it can scramble signals in your brain and interfere with decision-making, mood, and memory.  

Luckily, there’s one easy way to help stop stress… BEFORE it takes a toll on your memory.  

Several studies show that breathing techniques can help lower your stress naturally.

One of my favorite ones is diaphragmatic breathing. With this exercise, you breathe slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This practice can help slow your body down and increase the amount of oxygen in your blood.  

To get started, take a look at these instructions for The University of North Carolina.