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A scientific study by University College London has confirmed a link between stress and jumping to the wrong conclusions.
It has been long suspected that stress will affect the way that a person processes key information. Nonetheless, the study has produced clear findings. As per Metro Online, prof. Tali Sharot found that “under stress, people weigh each piece of evidence that supports undesirable conclusions more than when they are relaxed.”
The findings suggest that people are subsequently more likely to make poor decisions. Those choices can affect their health, wealth, relationships, career, and home living situations.
It means that individuals in the UK, and beyond, have another incentive to fight stress. This is in addition to the well-known adverse effects it can have on physical and mental health. From increased blood pressure to headaches and chest pains, most people would rather avoid those side effects. Worse still stress will often cause sleepless nights, which aggravates the symptoms and produces new ones.
Despite being unsurprising, the studies make for concerning reading. The harsh reality is that it creates a somewhat catch 22 situation. This is because drawing worse conclusions will lead people to make poor decisions. In turn, the outcomes of those bad choices will crank the stress levels up another notch. Thus, breaking the vicious cycle should be a priority for all.
Prevention is the best form of protection. Especially when living in unprecedented stressful times. Individuals from all backgrounds should aim to combat stress from their lives by introducing a range of positive habits. Incorporating light exercise into daily lifestyles should be one of the top items on the agenda. This can be further supported by hobbies that bring peace and tranquility to the person’s mind. After the past 18 months, simply spending time with loved ones is hugely rewarding.
Aside from leading a stressless lifestyle, it’s important to tackle the direct sources of stress. Financial worries are the most common by far. Short-term improvements can include reviewing all household bills to remove financial waste. Long-term moves may involve smart investments. Using a Forex calculator position size tool, for example, can help users make calculated choices. Accessibility levels are greater than ever. This gives people a chance to finally get their finances organised and under control.
Health and wealth are two immensely vital factors. However, it is important to think about issues like work-life balances and relationships too. We are all products of our environments but the good news is that many aspects can be controlled. From taking yourself out of a bad work setting to avoiding negative influencers, even the small steps can make a big difference. Furthermore, getting your will written is vital. Knowing that you’ve protected your loved ones will bring peace.
In truth, the new findings won’t be a major revelation in terms of underlining the fact that stress is bad. We all know this and have done for many years. However, the fact that it impacts decision-making as well as physical and mental health issues must not be ignored. The concluding message is clear: where possible, don’t make major choices until your mind is calm.
