When anxious or under pressure, most of us find making conscious choices more difficult -- and the way the brain is wired might be to blame. Researchers at the University of Minho in Portugal recently discovered that stress can activate regions of the brain associated with habitual behavior.
The 2009 study examined chronically stressed rats and found that the segments of the rats' brains linked with decision making shrunk, while regions associated with habit formation thrived. As a result, the rats fell into routines with submissive responses, like compulsively pressing a bar for food even if thay had no intention of eating.
Now although the study is done in rats, this brain connection helps explain why we tend to dig ourselves into ruts when stressed out: The brain seeks solace in repetition, which makes it harder to shift back to intentional behavior -- even if those intentional activities, such as preparing wholesome meals and exercising, are better for our well-being.
The good news is that rats recovered withing four weeks after the stressors were removed, suggesting that stress induced changes in behavior and in the brain may be reversible. You can learn techniques for interrupting stress cycles from the authors at "Experience Life" with the articles 'Three Deep Breaths' (October 2006) and 'Lines of Inquiry' (Decmeber 2004) at experiencelifemag.com.
By Pilar Gerasimo. "Experience Life" Magazine.
Edited for Content by FT Lake Forest Staff
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