Science & Technology

How Stress Drains Your Brain — and What To Do About It | Nicole Byers | TED

Do you ever feel extra forgetful? Stress could be the culprit. In a fascinating talk about how your memory works, neuropsychologist Nicole Byers shares the science behind how stress drains your brain’s resources, making it harder to remember things and easier to make mistakes. But fear not: she also shares a simple solution to recharge…

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Do you ever feel extra forgetful? Stress could be the culprit. In a fascinating talk about how your memory works, neuropsychologist Nicole Byers shares the science behind how stress drains your brain’s resources, making it harder to remember things and easier to make mistakes. But fear not: she also shares a simple solution to recharge your brain and get your memory back on track.

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45 Comments

  1. @Hyper131

    December 13, 2023 at 7:16 am

    So if i forget my pin number at self-checkout or at the cashier lane, i should forget about holding up the lines behind me and pull out my phone to surf the web till I remember it. Brilliant 👎

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 12:04 pm

      Or, keep everyone held up because you just can’t remember. So, maybe have to just leave the groceries. Because if you can’t remember it, you can’t pay for them.

  2. @ivyevaevemarcus993

    December 13, 2023 at 7:16 am

    Stress is good for us to function better in life; cos it helps us to stay on track and achieve our goals. But over-stress or overwhelm with stress will slowly affect our mental health and lead to more health issues.

  3. @CharmyCharmCharm

    December 13, 2023 at 7:18 am

    This video IS SO UNDERRATED. I was wondering why I forget so much

  4. @mr8966

    December 13, 2023 at 7:50 am

    No ‘what to do about it’ until 7:40 and the tip isn’t worth watching this video. Skip it.

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Some people don’t even realize how much stress they are living with until they hear themselves reflected in the list. You have to realize it first. Maybe just the act of realizing is what makes it worth the watch.

    • @Jackie_Chiles

      December 16, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      Things like fish oil and creatine on the daily can help improve brain function and short term memory but need to be cleared with a doctor first. Lions mane mushroom in a 300mg dose or equivalent whole mushroom has also been known to help with things like brain function and memory when taken or consumed daily for 6 months +.

  5. @czarcoma

    December 13, 2023 at 7:58 am

    1. Dont multitask
    2. Meditate.

    Got it. 😊

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 12:01 pm

      Meditate! Yes, yes, yes. I have been a part of a wonderful meditation course twice. It helped so much. Of course I haven’t in all these years. That will be of amazing help to go back to. I got my hearing aids programmed yesterday. There’s a program for tinnitus where I can hear (I chose to) hear waves crashing into the beach, through my hearing aids. Turn to lowest, it’s masks tinnitus. Turn it up loud, we’ll, I’m at the beach! Going to use this too.

    • @DeltaNovum

      December 13, 2023 at 8:20 pm

      Imagine when you have ADHD. These problems are 10x bigger and those two steps are mere impossible when your always on low dopamine.

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      @@DeltaNovum And when you have Bipolar II Disorder, and are in your hypomanic phase, it’s not easy either. My brain chemistry isn’t right either.

    • @czarcoma

      December 13, 2023 at 9:16 pm

      @@DeltaNovum 1. Manage or get help for your ADHD
      2. Dont multitask
      3. Meditate

  6. @notjustanotherbrickinthewall

    December 13, 2023 at 8:01 am

    This made me feel so much better. Working in marketing is stressful specially in this time of the year. I got worried about how much I kept forgetting. Thank you for this video!

  7. @Nyssa337

    December 13, 2023 at 8:02 am

    I had forgotten that I had watched this video before…

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 12:02 pm

      😂😂😂😂😂

  8. @gameoflife4434

    December 13, 2023 at 8:07 am

    Learnings – when u r thinking about a specific thing & u can’t remember after trying hard then relax and focus on something else. When you shift your attention then you remember that specific thing automatically.

    Gratitude for the learning 🙏

  9. @alan_yong

    December 13, 2023 at 8:18 am

    🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

    00:04 🧠 *Memory Capacity and Accessibility*
    – Our brains can store vast amounts of information, but not all of it is easily accessible.
    – Different memory systems have limits, impacting memory efficiency.
    – Factors in daily life, such as stress, can affect how easily we can recall information.
    01:34 🔄 *Types of Memory and Interference*
    – Different types of memory exist, some automatic, while others require more effort.
    – Memories that require more brainpower are prone to interference.
    – Short-term memory, used for tasks like grocery lists, is susceptible to distractions and can hold limited information.
    03:07 🧑‍💼 *Cognitive Challenges in Modern Life*
    – Living in a distracting modern world affects memory retention.
    – Multitasking and dealing with distractions consume mental energy.
    – Juggling numerous tasks can lead to memory errors and impact overall cognitive performance.
    04:06 🤯 *Impact of Stress on Memory*
    – Stress, even from day-to-day activities, can drain cognitive resources.
    – Mental multitasking under stress can lead to forgetfulness and memory errors.
    – Stress not only affects memory retrieval but also impairs problem-solving and creativity.
    05:41 🌐 *Larger Stresses and Memory*
    – Bigger stresses, like the challenges of a multi-year pandemic, financial pressure, and family stress, also impact memory.
    – Memory errors are normal, especially when tired, overworked, or stressed.
    – Understanding the impact of stress on memory is crucial in managing cognitive function.
    06:43 ⚙️ *Strategies to Boost Memory*
    – Thinking harder about a specific memory may not be effective due to competitive inhibition.
    – Taking a mental break and redirecting focus can help reset the brain.
    – Micro breaks during work can refresh mental resources and improve overall cognitive function.

    Made with HARPA AI

    • @sarahrean7174

      December 13, 2023 at 12:23 pm

      AI i was about to say thanks

  10. @gino8383

    December 13, 2023 at 8:43 am

    What is Stress ?
    Stress is forgetting a password , entering it in 3 times incorrectly.. blocking your account … go through resetting password steps… enter in new password… “sorry , you can not use a previously used password”

    Modern world stress

  11. @JeremyMarquezJMarqeting

    December 13, 2023 at 9:15 am

    00:08 Stress affects memory and brain efficiency
    01:20 Brain surgery can impact memory and learning ability
    02:35 Short-term memory is easily prone to interference.
    03:36 Stress and multitasking drain the brain
    04:42 Stress leads to distractions and inefficiency
    05:53 Stress impacts memory and problem-solving abilities.
    06:59 Stress and overthinking can block memory access.
    08:06 Take micro breaks to recharge your brain
    Crafted by Merlin AI.

    • @manframed

      December 18, 2023 at 12:38 am

      Thanks. You saved me 10 minutes

    • @JeremyMarquezJMarqeting

      December 18, 2023 at 4:54 am

      @@manframed yw

  12. @baileycuervo

    December 13, 2023 at 10:16 am

    Thanks I’m cured

  13. @g4r4is

    December 13, 2023 at 11:11 am

    Quit sugar, please! 🙌

  14. @lynnroney1234

    December 13, 2023 at 11:52 am

    I’m 67, and now I realize I’m not losing it. I’m being normal. 38 years of nursing, 20 in critical care. Because I did, on a regular floor I was ALWAYS given the sickest patients. There are NO mistakes, MUST quickly process and rapidly problem solve, be part of end of life, codes, what’s going on with each patient because a doc is going to be asking,teaching newer nurses, and the stress of being responsible for someone’s actual LIFE. So much more. No wonder my brain is done. 2years of Covid, I live alone. Not good. Then the second worst year of my entire life. I can see it all now. I can make a plan to recover. There are things I can do to help in different memory situations. So glad I took the time to watch this. It’s saved to watch again.

    • @sarahrean7174

      December 13, 2023 at 12:22 pm

      I am 36 stressed to death and I started losing it 😢

    • @lynnroney1234

      December 13, 2023 at 12:50 pm

      @@sarahrean7174 I understand that. I had 3 episodes of burn out before things came to a head on my last day. Enough was enough. I AM NOT DOING THIS ANYMORE. At the end, it was severe PTSD. I don’t know what you job and life is, but there are things you can do to help. I can’t make suggestions because I don’t know you or where you live. But wherever, whatever, I know there’s help.

    • @Xyamelia234

      December 14, 2023 at 6:08 am

      ​@@lynnroney1234aku sangat suka caramu menghargai sesorang. Mungkin aku bisa meniru caramu berbicara yg sangat sopan❤❤❤

    • @Jackie_Chiles

      December 16, 2023 at 5:01 pm

      You might want to talk to your doctor about talking creatine, protein shake, and some fish oil capsules on the daily.

  15. @emanebied7977

    December 13, 2023 at 12:09 pm

    👍💯

  16. @toni4729

    December 13, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    You actually make me feel relaxed. I had a seizure over forty years ago that did me some real damage but although the damage is still there and memory isn’t as good as it could be, it has gradually improved over the years. It’s really annoying though when constantly asked on PCs passwords or codes. I could pull out my hair at times. There should be a better way, especially when we get old.

  17. @toni4729

    December 13, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    Most of us are in too much of a hurry to walk away from the PC for five minutes. Sad but true.

  18. @bobbydwheelhouse

    December 13, 2023 at 1:01 pm

    Our brains are not built for the modern world, this is one symptom

    • @Jackie_Chiles

      December 16, 2023 at 5:09 pm

      No kidding. I think tech outpaced us for sure and now we got a big mess that can’t be undone.

      On a side note I heard that if your angry then your short term and long term judgement skills and memory and ability to contrast consequences for your actions pretty much go out the window and if your really tired your will power will be at an all time low if your on a diet.

    • @jegerslvjegers5380

      December 17, 2023 at 11:42 pm

      Time to symbiosis with tech and become a cyborg. Such as capable to read a lifetime of info in less than hour.

  19. @paillette2010

    December 13, 2023 at 1:11 pm

    362? Only? My wet bee’s hive is pushing 7000 by lunch.

  20. @FlaviusDumitrescu5918

    December 13, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    And what if those micro-breaks are not enough?

  21. @user-yv4gg7jb2f

    December 13, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    I hate memory errors

  22. @emwave100

    December 13, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    Let’s define stress. When someone continually worries about something that causes physical symptoms. Stress is not causing my symptoms and we have already established that. You know what does? The device the using. The end.

  23. @blueeyedscorpio7

    December 13, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    Sounding a lot like a computer overload….😬🤯😩

  24. @HealthZo

    December 14, 2023 at 12:02 am

    🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄🎄🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄🎄🎄

  25. @mariaantoniettamontella9173

    December 14, 2023 at 6:52 am

    brava

  26. @Novastar.SaberCombat

    December 15, 2023 at 4:42 am

    Easy for the wealthy. Impossible for the poor. It is what it is. You either have coin, connections, crews, clout, computer code, control, communities, and opportunities on your side… or you do not. Simple. That’s just how existence is in 202x. Accept it, and either keep going, or check out; it’s your call.

  27. @tenamsb686

    December 16, 2023 at 4:56 am

    Immediately clicked the video the moment I read the title.. 😂

  28. @jonneye

    December 16, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    Too much backstory

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