{"id":5372,"date":"2024-09-16T19:14:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T19:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emiralmedia.ro\/site\/claudiu\/self-generated-stress\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:08:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:08:34","slug":"self-generated-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/claudiusimion.ro\/en\/self-generated-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-generated stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We followed Dr. Drago\u0219 C\u00eerneci, a renowned neuroscientist, in several podcasts that give us an updated perspective on our brain.<\/p>\n\n

I was particularly interested in his statements about the brain’s function as a prediction machine<\/strong>. As Dr. C\u00eerneci points out, our brains are constantly busy anticipating the future, using past experiences to make predictions about what is going to happen. This ability is essential for survival, allowing us to adapt and react quickly to our environment. <\/p>\n\n

However, when our predictions are negative or when we face uncertainty, this function can become a source of stress. The brain tries to fill in the information gaps, often projecting pessimistic scenarios that can lead to anxiety and inner tension. <\/p>\n\n

To process these predictions, the brain uses a neural network called the Default Mode<\/strong> Network (DMN). This network is active when our mind is at rest and we are thinking about ourselves, the past or the future. The DMN is involved in processes such as self-reflection, planning and understanding other people’s perspectives. <\/p>\n\n

Research has shown that the DMN is overactive in people suffering from depression and anxiety. This hyperactivity correlates with rumination<\/strong>, i.e. the tendency to have repetitive negative thoughts that exacerbate psychological distress. Excessive DMN activity may<\/strong> thus contribute to self-generated stress by amplifying worries about the future and the perception of one’s own limitations.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Every thought is accompanied by an emotion, and thoughts and emotions are closely interconnected in our brains. When we have a thought, it can trigger an emotional reaction, and emotions, in turn, can influence our thinking patterns. <\/p>\n\n

For example, the thought of an important presentation can generate anxiety, while the memory of a happy moment can bring joy. This constant interaction is key to how we perceive and react to the world around us. <\/p>\n\n

Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, an influential figure in the study of emotions, proposes the theory that emotions are not universal and innate, but are constructed by the brain based on individual experiences and cultural context. According to this theory, emotions are the result of a process of prediction, in which the brain uses prior information to interpret and respond to stimuli. <\/p>\n\n

This means that the way we perceive and experience emotions can be influenced and altered by awareness and reframing our thoughts.<\/p>\n\n

In the context of self-generated stress, if we are able to identify and change negative thinking patterns, we can directly influence the associated emotions and therefore the level of stress experienced.<\/p>\n\n

The ancients had similar revelations!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Stoic philosopher Seneca observed that“we often suffer more in imagination than in reality<\/em>“. He emphasized that foresight is a “divine gift<\/em>“, but that people often turn this ability into a source of anxiety by worrying excessively about the future and possible negative events. <\/p>\n\n

Seneca suggests practical solutions to take your worries away:<\/p>\n\n