We can no longer deny it: Finals will be upon us soon. And while it may be time to start hyperventilating in a corner of Main Stacks, take peace in knowing that it’s fine to stress a little bit — actually it may be beneficial to you in the long run. A new study published by integrative biology professor Daniela Kaufer and UC Berkeley postdoc Elizabeth Kirby found that a little stress will help you down the road two or three weeks from now.
It all has to do with hormones, which Cal luckily has no shortage of. Yes, believe it or not, moments of acute stress — when stress is high but only for a brief period of time — produce certain hormones in the brain that convert stem cells into nerve cells. The more nerve cells, the better memory and overall mental performance of the brain.
This does not mean that long-term and continued stress will help the brain. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Other research has shown that chronic stress produces high levels of different hormones that slow down the development of nerve cells. These hormones also increase the risk of heart disease, obesity and depression. Again, the Clog wants to remind you to enjoy yourself and laugh a little too.
But just like the old saying goes, everything in moderation — even stress!
So what advice can the Clog give on finals this semester? Stress this weekend, and it will pay off when that green book or scantron is in front of you come finals.
Image source: anna gutermuth under Creative Commons
Contact Chase Schweitzer at [email protected]