Stress reduction highly beneficial
Living with HSP can be tough and stressful. The stress takes its toll and can make things even harder. Research reveals that stress damages the brain, and reducing stress can be highly beneficial. Doing something fun and laughing, socializing, exercising and meditating are all accessible ways of reducing stress. Several studies have documented, through brain scans and blood work, the beneficial role that meditation can play in managing stress.
Meditation, the practice of being more attentive, present and engaged in each moment, also known as mindfulness, has been studied for its ability to lessen the damaging effects of stress and protect the parts of the brain that are vulnerable to cognitive decline.
An article published in the April/May 2015 edition of NeurologyNow reviews studies on stress and the benefits especially of both meditation and exercise. You can download the full article.
The importance of stress reduction for people with a neurological condition is highlighted. There is a free online course http://palousemindfulness.com/ referenced in the article with explanations and instructions for the beginning through advanced meditator, including the science behind meditation.
Many studies have also shown that exercise can protect the brain against stress in a variety of conditions. Other studies corroborate the finding that exercise increases gray matter density in brain regions associated with high-level cognitive functioning. The research indicates, therefore, that a less-stressed brain—whether as a result of exercise or other stress-reducing techniques—can think and carry out tasks more efficiently.
SOURCE: Neurology Now: April/May 2015 – Volume 11 – Issue 2 – p 14–16
doi: 10.1097/01.NNN.0000464321.48265.f1
Departments: The Healthy Brain
© 2015 American Academy of Neurology