Stress that makes you frantic even at tasks you used to do well... Relieve it by doing ‘this’ for 15 seconds

It is said that stress is the root of all diseases. When stress causes abnormalities in immune cells, the prolonged proliferation of abnormal cells can become the cause of various illnesses, including cancer. Furthermore, stress negatively affects the brain and reduces work efficiency. How can it be alleviated?

 

◇ Stress hormones shrink the hippocampus and damage the brain Severe stress damages the brain. According to Dr. Dean Serzai, co-director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, excessive levels of the so-called stress hormone cortisol increase the risk of Alzheimer's dementia and cause the hippocampus to shrink. In fact, a study by McGill University in Canada found that individuals with high levels of cortisol experienced a 14% reduction in hippocampal volume. Cortisol also interferes with the production of serotonin, a hormone necessary for preventing and alleviating depression, and damages synapses responsible for signal connections between brain cells. It reduces the levels of white blood cells, which perform immune functions, leading to the accumulation of byproducts in the brain and, over time, causing damage.

◇ It can also lower work efficiency There are also research findings indicating that stress actually lowers work efficiency. A research team at Stanford University in the United States conducted an experiment to investigate the impact of stress on work efficiency. Participants were randomly placed on a familiar path in virtual reality and instructed to move to a target location. The research team analyzed their brain activity using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) while they navigated the path. The participants were divided into two groups: one group was warned that they might receive mild electric shocks during the experiment, while the other group received no warning.

As a result, the group that did not receive an electric shock warning showed a tendency to devise new shortcuts based on existing memories. However, the group warned of the possibility of receiving an electric shock tended to get lost due to habitual movements. fMRI analysis also revealed that the hippocampus and frontal lobe functions were less activated in the group concerned about electric shocks. According to the research team's previous studies, stress interferes with nervous system activity, making it difficult to retrieve and use memories.

 

◇ Laughing and massage help relieve stress If you cannot eliminate stressful situations, you need to make an effort to manage them effectively. A study by a research team at Memorial Hospital in Indiana found that simply laughing heartily for 15 seconds activates endorphins and immune cells, extending lifespan. Dr. Liebert, who has studied laughter for 18 years, analyzed the blood of laughing people and revealed that NK cells, which attack viruses and cancer cells, are activated. Meditation and sunbathing also help alleviate stress.

 

Getting a massage is also a good method. In fact, according to research from the University of Konstanz in Germany, the group that received a 10-minute neck and shoulder massage experienced a greater reduction in stress, anxiety, and worry than the group that rested. Massaging the sternocleidomastoid and suboccipital muscles stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting the secretion of happiness hormones. The sternocleidomastoid is a muscle that extends across the space between the clavicle and behind the ear. The right sternocleidomastoid is the long, prominent part on the right side of the neck when you turn your head to the left. Form a hook shape with your hand and gently grasp the right sternocleidomastoid for 10 seconds. Then, turn your head to the right and grasp the right sternocleidomastoid again for 10 seconds. Repeat the same process for the left sternocleidomastoid.

 

The suboccipital muscles are small muscles located at the base of the back of the head that support it and connect the head, neck, and shoulders. Releasing these muscles can help reduce headaches. First, interlock your hands and cup the back of your head. Then, use your thumbs to press the hollow area at the base of the back of your head for 20 seconds. It is more effective to do this with your chin lowered and your eyes closed.

 

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Shoulder rotation

It helps a bit when I do neck stretches.

 

I think "making people laugh" is the hardest thing.

 

Laugh a lot today as well.