How to Disperse Work Stress According to Neuroscience

Stop stress becoming chronic

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

Most of us have a fair degree of work stress. It’s sad to say that it has become the way of the world.

There are a lot of different coping approaches, ranging from the healthy to the wildly unhealthy. Recently, I’ve felt more drawn to the unhealthy, and I’ve been tempted to drink rather than process my stress.

I wanted to take a look at what the Neuroscience says, to make sure whatever healthier option I choose instead, will be something truly effective.

Then I was reminded of a classic lesson on stress dispersal that we see in nature. But first, let’s recap on the science…

Follow the science

We know that the longer we stay in a stressed state, the more likely our stress will become chronic and long term.

All stress begins as acute and short term. A stressor (i.e. a bad work situation) begins as the short-term flight or fight response that we have all heard of.

This response begins in the brain and causes a cascade of neuro-endocrine signals that hijack our body. Heart rate and blood pressure increase. We are amped up both mentally and physically, ready to either fight or flee.