Contributing author Paul Li is a graduate student in neuroscience at Columbia. Here he explains a new reason to avoid stress:
Whoever came up with the saying ‘take a chill pill’ probably did not know it can also mean having long-term cognitive benefits regarding a healthier, working brain. See our past post on the importance of vacationing from stress. In a recent study authors found that too much psychological distress, such as anxiety or depression, can actually increase your chances of having Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); a decline in mental and thinking ability. The study did not say how chronic distress leads to the development of MCI. However, we know exercising our brain can increase memory and attention, which in turn might lead to a more relaxed state-of-mind for a healthier brain and body. So remember to breath, relax, and be merry (and when necessary ‘take a chill pill’) to keep your brain in longer-lasting condition and in optimal shape.
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