1/13: Reduce stress for a stronger brain

BHQ site: (www.brainhq.com)

We all experience stress in our lives (maybe now a little more than usual), but what kind of stress and how we choose to handle it could make a big difference in your physical and mental health, even years from now. Read this lesson carefully, take notes, and start incorporating some of Mary’s suggestions into your life. No stress? Lucky you! The skills you’re going to learn this week can also help you with your mood, your emotions and your peace of mind. Enjoy the lesson.

Your Lesson: This week is all about stress. In our reading this week, we will learn about stress, and what is involved in the stress response. We will then learn what happens in our brain with occasional stress versus chronic stress, and what types of conditions may occur with chronic stress. But we will conclude with some practical ways to reduce stress. Read all about stress and a stronger brain online, or if you like, you can download the print handout. If you would like to reference the PowerPoint presentation summarizing the lesson, you can find it here. Then Take the quiz.

For a greater understanding of some of the problems that can be caused by stress, a one technique that can help to reduce stress, take a look at the following two studies:

Research has uncovered new clues about chronic stress and memory loss, and sheds new light on how stress may be triggering mental illness. They found that if they blocked molecular mechanisms caused by stress they could prevent the loss of memory. This finding has important implications in mitigating stress-related memory loss in humans. Learn more.

No real surprise, but good to be reminded about - this study published in Ecopsychology has found that hiking can improve happiness and reduce stress. The research, conducted in Britain, followed nearly 2,000 people who chose whether or not they wanted to walk, and how often. The people who had walked in nature at least once per week reported feeling happier and experienced less stress.

This last article is about kids and stress, and is a beautiful reminder for teachers, volunteers and grandparents that children can experience a great deal of stress in our modern world. This reading includes some simple ways that we can offer to children overcome emotional difficulties they may not be able to understand or express, and strengthen their brains (and their emotional wellbeing) in the process. Read: Helping Kids Switch Off from Buzz of Modern Life (excellent for grandparents!).

Zoom Session: Join us this Wednesday, May 20th. This week our lesson are different but you will love them both. So join us for the full hour if you can. Here’s our schedule of events:

6:30-7:00: For ALL! Q&A time about any of the BHQ exercises or the class website.

7:00-7:30: We will focus on the Weekly Basics Lesson - Stress Management

7:30–8:00: We will focus on the Weekly Topics Lesson – The Healing Power of Kindness

Just click here to follow the instructions on the Home Page by scrolling down to Weekly Zoom Sessions. Or you can go directly to the Zoom site by clicking here.

First time on Zoom? Just follow the instructions on this Home Page to learn how. Returning students click here to connect directly. Try getting on the site early to see how easy it is to get it set up. We begin our BHQ Zoom at 6:30, so try getting on at about 6:15 and call if you have any trouble. You can participate by video and audio, or just listen in by phone. Please let us know if you need help! Call Pat’s cell at 619-818-3953. If you’ve been on Zoom before, you will appreciate this new Zoom Video that Mary created to help you learn about some of the features available to you while on the site. See you on Wednesday.

Enjoy the lessons, and have a brain-healthy week.

Need help? Contact us at:

Pat Mosteller (pmostell@sdccd.edu) Cell 619-818-3953 - Online classes

Mary Burns (mburns@sdccd.edu) - Online classes

Debbie Flores (dsflores@sdccd.edu) - Cell 619-608-9001 --Online classes & Wednesday AM and PM classes at the Kroc Center

Janet Blair ( blusdbits@gmail.com ) - St Pauls Plaza. Contact for Support and Lesson Review

Yael Lorberfeld (ylorberfeld@sdccd.edu) . Mondays at the Kroc Center, Wednesdays at the College Ave Senior Center (Temple Emanu-El), and Friday mornings at the La Jolla JCC.

Marilyn Kessler (marilynk@ifssd.org) - Mondays at the College Ave Senior Center (Temple Emanu-El)