Problems Handling Stress? It's Probably How Your Brain is Wired

Do you know someone who handles stress extremely well, yet another who can't handle stress at all? In a recent press release, scientists have found that our ability to handle, or not handle, stress is linked to the particular paths that chemicals in our brains are used during communication. In other words, we are "wired" to have more, or less, resilience to stress.

Why are some people resilient, able to handle stress very well, while others presented with similar situations, fall apart and may become depressed? Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Center have discovered that the brain cells we use to communicate can work differently from person to person. This difference is linked to our ability, or inability, to handle stress.

Ability to handle stress: Understanding differences is important
It is important to understand these differences so that scientists can further their work towards helping people boost their own resilience, handling stressful situations better and becoming less susceptible to depression.

Although their research was conducted on mice, the brains of mice and humans share many of the same chemical structures. The chemical compound, BDNF, was found to be elevated in both mice and humans undergoing stress. ==

Researchers theorize that if they can control the release of the compound BDNF, they can increase one's ability to become more resilient and cope with stress or depression better. Current brain fitness research shows that by developing mental rehearsals of resiliency, during times of stress the brain can be "fooled" into not releasing BDNF.

At Advance Corporate Training Ltd., we have a series of four Resiliency Skills short courses that can help you "Tame Your Brain". Contact us at train@actraining.com for more details.

Source:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534419/