Stress

The course of development is paved by different kinds of stress. Healthy brain and mind learn to adapt to stress positively but extreme or prolonged high stress at young age may cause unfavorable effects on brain and psychological developments. The long-term effects of stress can lead to profound negative effects on body, brain and mind. For instance, studies found impairment in body’s immunity defense system, emotional control and problem solving functions in times of stress, which in turn create more stress signals for the body, brain and mind.  Such vicious cycle seem like a very self-perpetuating situation.

Different conventional and novel ways of research help disentangle the states of stress. The use of biomarkers to measure cortisol levels pairing with the use of digital device to track momentary changes in daily activity, feelings and reactions allow us to understand the interplay between stressful situations, bodily reactions and psychological states. These interactive measures will enrich the conventional self-report questionnaires on different sources of stress.

“Knowing these key steps may offer platforms for effective interventions to offset the motions in the vicious cycle.”

– WORK HEART team