Stop Stressing Yourself Out!

Waldon, Erica, BA, CLC-CHC

February 23rd, 2025

How Chronic Stress Affects Decision-Making

Have you ever noticed that when you are under a lot of stress, you tend to fall back on habits instead of making well-thought-out choices? A new study in mice helps explain why, and it all comes down to how stress rewires the brain.

Stress and Habit Formation

When we experience chronic stress, our brains shift from making intentional decisions to relying more on habits. That is why someone under stress might automatically reach for junk food, smoke a cigarette, or repeat the same behaviors without much thought. Scientists have long observed this pattern in people, but now they have identified the brain pathways that make it happen.

What the Study Found

Researchers exposed mice to mild stressors, such as loud noise and damp bedding, and then trained them to press a lever to receive food. Later, when the mice were full, they were given the choice to press the lever again. Unstressed mice quickly realized they did not need more food and stopped pressing. Stressed mice, however, kept pressing the lever out of habit, even though they were not hungry.

By tracking brain activity, the scientists found two key pathways in the amygdala (the part of the brain that processes stress) leading to the dorsomedial striatum (which controls decision-making). One pathway, responsible for flexible thinking, was active in unstressed mice but nearly silent in stressed ones. Meanwhile, the second pathway, which encourages habitual behaviors, was much more active in the stressed mice.

Why This Matters

These findings suggest that chronic stress literally rewires the brain, making it harder to make intentional choices and more likely to fall back on routines, whether good or bad. Since humans have similar brain structures, this research could lead to better treatment for stress-related mental health conditions.

Understanding how stress influences our habits can help us be more mindful of our choices. If you find yourself stuck in unhealthy patterns during stressful times, it may be worth exploring stress-management techniques to regain control over your decision-making.

Action You Can Take Now!

Try CBT! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool in breaking old habits that are rooted in stress and anxiety. It helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more constructive behaviors. By recognizing the triggers that lead to unwanted habits, CBT provides practical techniques to shift responses and build new, positive routines. As a life and health coach, I can guide you through this process, offering support and strategies to help you implement behavioral changes that lead to long-term relief and confidence in managing anxiety.

To schedule a session with Erica, call 920-254-9379, or email ewaldon@waldonwellness.com.