Need another reason to make it to yoga? Here it is: stress can harm your brain.
A new study from Yale University found that long-term stress can shrink “grey matter,” cells found in parts of the brain that process sensory information, such as memory and emotions.
The researchers performed 103 brain scans, and those who endured adversities had less gray matter in several key brain regions. (Even one major stressor did some harm!)
The brain regions that took a hit regulate stress and emotions, meaning that extreme stress could even make it more difficult to fight future stress.
If you’re always feeling anxious, it’s time to find ways to manage it.
Try taking a daily walk to relax, or practice deep breathing exercises whenever you feel a bout of anxiety. Your body—and your brain—will thank you!
