Why Stressful Memories Haunt Us

Science is determined to put their finger on why this happens.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Why Stressful Memories Haunt Us   There are a handful of memes floating around about how our most cringe-worthy moments or stressful memories tend to really sink in right about the time we want to fall asleep. Sometimes they'll just gobsmack us in the middle of the day, too. If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. We can hardly remember what color our socks are, but those memories are sure to haunt us.   Science is determined to put their finger on why this happens, and they've had some luck. One potential explanation may have to do with our brain's primary fear responses, which can be triggered by stressful events. Another theory is that challenging situations double as learning opportunities that can serve us in the future, so our brain holds on to them more tightly.   As for haunting memories that we dwell on–and even those that become problematically intrusive—it's possible that we keep coming back to them because they're unresolved.     The stressful memories tend to linger for the purposes of people being more alert to recognizing signs of a similar situation…so that they are more adept at avoiding it."  — DESREEN N. DUDLEY, PSYD   What This Means For You A few cringes here and there are expected, but if you find yourself struggling to get past a stressful moment then try to nip it.   To overcome the awkward, stressful feelings that replay in your mind, award yourself some grace, determine what you can do to find some resolve, and remind yourself that it's just a memory—and one that others probably don't think about as often as you do.     On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us Our minds tend to dwell on the negative. Being purposeful about remembering joyful times is important. The Happy Planner's Happy Memory Keeping Journal provides a designated space to do exactly that. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Dr. Judson Brewer's "Unwinding Anxiety" helps break cycles of worry and fear with new science. The audiobook version allows you to tackle other tasks while you listen. Sometimes you just need to laugh it out. The Awkward Moment Card Game teams up players who must face a fake hysterical or embarrassing "event." The levity can help you see that we're all just trying to do our best to get by. These brain games may help you improve your memory, response time, and logic skills. Read These Next How to Forget Things On Purpose READ NOW Why Do People Obsess Over Things?  READ NOW How False Memories Are Formed READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy