Can Stress Affect Your Memory?

Stress can affect different areas of your life but did you know it can affect your memory? When you experience stress, it causes your body to shift into fight or flight mode resulting in the frontal lobe (decision making) part of your brain to shut down.

Stress can cause poor concentration, lack of focus and mental clarity which causes memory issues. When someone is stressed, they have a hard time not only creating short term memories but then turning those into long term memories. Research has shown that higher levels of stress hormones damage the hippocampus by shrinking it. When this happens, the ability to form memories is compromised.

According to the Mayo clinic, there are some things you can do to help improve your memory. They are:

• Including physical activity to your daily routine- this increases blood flow to your brain

• Stay mentally active- this keeps your mind sharp

• Get organized- this will help manage your stress

• Eat a healthy diet

• Manage any chronic conditions you may have