Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School

Article from Book Summary

How Stress Hijacks Your Brain and What You Can Do to Fight Back

The hidden ways chronic stress damages your brain—and proven strategies to protect your mental edge.

Bookworm Central

July 9, 20222.1K views

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and SchoolJohn J. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist and research consultant. He is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine and director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University. His work bridges brain science with practical applications in education and business.

Stress is an ancient survival tool, triggering adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for danger. However, chronic stress floods the brain with cortisol, damaging the hippocampus, which is vital for memory and learning. This damage leads to impaired cognitive flexibility, poor memory formation, and increased risk of mental illness.

Imagine trying to learn new information while your brain is overwhelmed by stress hormones—encoding and recall become difficult. This is why chronic stress can sabotage academic and work performance.

Fortunately, the brain is resilient. Supportive social environments, a sense of control, and stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness and exercise can buffer these harmful effects. Positive relationships lower cortisol levels and foster mental well-being.

Understanding the neuroscience of stress empowers you to create environments and habits that protect your brain, enhance learning, and improve mental health.

Sources: Blinkist summary, ReadersBooksClub, Washington State University Media Kit 1 2 4

Want to explore more insights from this book?

Read the full book summary

Browse more articles