As we age, it is essential to be mindful of our emotional states. Recent research from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) shows that negative emotions could significantly impact the brain and may even lead to pathological aging. Let’s break down how managing emotions better could prevent pathological aging.
The UNIGE study observed the activation of the brains of young and older adults when confronted with the psychological suffering of others. The results showed that the neuronal connections of older adults have an increased emotional inertia—negative emotions modify them excessively and over a long period of time, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex and amygdala, two brain regions strongly involved in emotion management and autobiographical memory.
Managing one’s emotions better can help prevent pathological aging. This means being aware of how our minds respond to difficult situations, understanding what triggers us emotionally, finding coping mechanisms for our stressors, and learning how to regulate our emotional responses. Being aware of our own emotions will enable us to take steps toward preventing any possible damage caused by negative feelings.
For instance, there are certain strategies you can use to manage your anxiety or depression more effectively such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness meditation practices, journaling, or talking with a therapist or counselor. These methods can help you become more self-aware so you can understand why you feel certain ways and learn healthier ways to cope with your anxieties or depression instead of letting it affect your physical health negatively.
Overall, managing one’s emotions better is an essential part of preventing pathological aging due to its ability to protect the brain from excessive stress responses that can occur when exposed to negative feelings for prolonged periods of time. By understanding our own feelings better through different strategies such as CBT or mindfulness practices, we are able to recognize harmful patterns before they cause any potential damage and learn healthier ways to cope with difficult situations instead. It is important for everyone—especially those who are aging—to be mindful of their mental health so that they stay healthy physically as well.
