Study Finds Stress May Have Important Cognitive Benefits

A recent study carried out by Penn State University in the US has found that stress we experience may have some important cognitive benefits.  Respondents in the study who reported feeling no stress appear to have experienced better moods and were also found to be less likely to suffer chronic health conditions but appeared to score lower in cognitive tests.

Significant stress associated to the pandemic has been reported by more than 78% of adults living in the US according to the American Psychological Association (APA).  Although our bodies are equipped to handle occasional bouts of stress, prolonged periods have been linked with a range of negative health outcomes such as migraine headaches through to cardiovascular problems. 

The study involved monitoring 2,804 participants over a seven-day period. Before the start of the study the respondents were asked to undertake a cognition test.  Over the course of the study each participant was asked about both chronic conditions and positive experiences during the previous 24 hours.  Those who reported no stressful experiences were found to have more positive moods and were less likely to develop a chronic health condition but also scored lower on the cognition tests than those who had reported stressful events. 

Professor David Almedia, of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University advised that; ‘Experiencing these stressors may not be pleasant, but they force you to solve a problem, and this might actually be good for cognitive functioning, especially as we grow older’, adding ‘Having some stress is just an indicator that you are engaged in life.’

More substantial supportive research is required to explore these initial findings further, however Almedia’s findings may offer new insight into how we both interact and process stress, which for many is an unavoidable event in life.

 

Interested in learning more? Click to find more news stories brought to you by HealthHubble.

 

Carrie Plummer - Editor & Content Manager


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