As election season ramps up, so does anxiety. A neuroscientist delves into the science behind worry, its effects on the brain, and practical strategies to calm an overstimulated amygdala.
Disclosure: Michael Merzenich, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:Once again, America is deeply divided before a national election, with people on each side convinced of the horrors that will be visited upon us if the other side wins. As a neuroscientist, I am especially aware of the deleterious mental and physical impact of chronic worry on our citizenry. That's because worry is not"all in your head.
This hyperreactive response is initiated in the amygdala in the anterior brain, which identifies"what's happening" as immediately or potentially threatening. The now-activated amygdala generates a response in the hypothalamus that provokes an immediate increase of adrenaline and cortisol in the body, and cortisol and noradrenaline, in the brain. Both sharply speed up our physical and neurologic reactivity.
The brain also collaborates in our body's response to stress. Its regulation of hormonal responses and its autonomic nervous system's mediated responses contribute to elevated blood sugar levels, to craving high-sugar foods, to elevated blood pressure, and to weaker immune responses. This all contributes to higher risks for cardiovascular and other dietary- and immune system–related disease. And ultimately, to shorter lifespans.
Talk to people. Keeping your worries to yourself can compound them. Hashing through your concerns with a family member, friend, professional coach, or therapist can help put them in perspective and may allow you to come up with strategies to identify and neurologically respond to your sources of stress.
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