BRAIN FACT: Continuous Or Intense Stress Can Affect Children's Brain Development

Continuous or intense stress can affect children’s brain development. When children have repeated or long term exposure to stressful experiences this results in increased levels of stress chemicals that can cause lasting damage. However, children actually learn how to cope when exposed to regular stress. This occurs when a caring adult consistently responds to the child.

I am thrilled to see a recent article in The Seattle Times by Jerry Large discussing a symposium on the impact of stress on the brain and how critically important it is to address these issues. You can read the article, The Science of Healthy Children here.

In my brain presentations on the impact of relationships,  I often show the clip of the still face experiment mentioned in this article.  You can view it here: 

BRAIN FACT: Continuous Exposure To Hostility Can Lead To A Diminished Ability To Handle Stress

A developing brain re-wires when living in continuous hostility. Continuous exposure can lead to a diminished ability to handle stress.

For further information read this article by Dr. Bruce Perry

BRAIN FACT: Little Control or Infulence Creates Stress in the Brain

Stress is created in the brain with a real or felt perception that there is little control or influence in your life.