Managing stress

Stress is normal and can even be good for us, building resilience. But unmanaged chronic stress is linked to cell death in the area of the brain called the hippocampus, used for learning and memory, and linked with Alzheimer’s disease.

Since we can’t always avoid stress, we need to build skills in coping and managing stress.

• Breathing exercises and mediation can train the body to relax even in the presence of stress
• Techniques like putting things in perspective, noticing positive outcomes, and focusing energy on things that can be changed (instead of things that cannot) are effective
• Exercise or volunteer: This channels stress into positive activities