It's late summer – and thus the most mental time of the year. It's a season when many of us are back from vacation and want to get back into rhythm. It's also Virgo season, so it's actually the ideal time to structure, organize, and create new good habits. We just need to remember to stay calm and enjoy the tranquility of the season, so we don't end up getting stressed.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is a natural state in the body. Like all other emotions and hormones in the body, stress has a function. Stress is a state of fear. When we get scared, stress hormones are released from our fear center in the brain, the Amygdala. This then transports them to all cells in our body to activate the body. The purpose is to defend and protect us from danger, so when stress hormones are released, blood is transported from our vital organs and glands to our extremities, meaning our arms and legs, so we get increased energy to fight, flee - or freeze (be immobile). This is a good and effective function - if we need to defend ourselves against a dangerous animal. But perhaps less good when we need to solve tasks and multitask.
WHEN AMYGDALA IS STRENGTHENED, HIPPOCAMPUS IS WEAKENED
At the same time, amygdala is strengthened - or grows - when we continue to release stress hormones because we remain under pressure. The center is thus actively trained, just like a muscle in the body. We therefore become more and more trained in releasing stress hormones, which is not so conducive if we want to get rid of stress. When amygdala grows, hippocampus, which is our center for concentration, learning, problem-solving, and memory, weakens - or shrinks. And vice versa. When hippocampus is activated and used, amygdala is weakened.
STRENGTHEN HIPPOCAMPUS AND ALLEVIATE STRESS
This is where we can intervene. With this knowledge and awareness, we gain the opportunity to change something and actively work to strengthen the hippocampus. It is clear that we are only talking about symptoms of a cause here, which we undoubtedly also need to find a solution for. For example, we cannot continue with the same workload and merely do exercises that strengthen the hippocampus. We also need to address the root cause. But sometimes the symptoms keep us stuck, and here we have the opportunity to use our knowledge to actively turn the tide. Namely, by training the hippocampus with various concentration exercises, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, grounding, memory exercises, mindfulness, and similar activities.
SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE BRAIN AND STRESS
You can find my video where I explain a bit about the relationship between the hippocampus and amygdala and also give my suggestions for exercises you can do to strengthen the hippocampus HERE. The video is located under the "free" category inside my app, which you can find for free in the App Store and Google Play by searching for Isabelle Evita.
