How to prevent stress from becoming long-term memories?

[u/bakeandroast]

Are there ways to prevent stressful situations from becoming long-term memories?

So that we don't continue to suffer months and years after the stress has passed?

[u/kaasvingers]

I imagine that to be the same thing you would do to process the memory way after it has become a basis for maladaptive behaviour and doing it way earlier.

[u/iCareBearica]

Be grateful for them as soon as possible.

[u/Punkybrewsickle]

I read a recent study finding that if people played Tetris within the first hour following a traumatic event (car accident, assault, loss, etc) it can prevent or dramatically reduce developing long term PTSD from the experience. It had to be Tetris specifically--not Dr. Mario or Jenga or anything. Just Tetris. It engages a part of the brain or its function that would otherwise be etching the trauma into the victim's mind in those initial 60 minutes. It occupies the brain from being exposed to those memories being recorded. They did acknowledge the infeasibility of actually employing that technique in real situations, but first responders began practicing it on scene when possible.

[u/LA-Fan316]

I always remind myself there are things I can control and things I can’t control. Whenever I focus on what’s out of my control is when I tend to have stress. So I only focus on what I can control. For I am the creator of my own reality, as you should be your own creator.

[u/Mindful_Healing]

To prevent stressful situations from becoming long-term memories, it's important to actively process and release the stress. Techniques like mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present and reduce the emotional impact. Engaging in physical activities, creative outlets, and maintaining a positive mindset are also effective. Talking about your experiences with supportive friends or a professional can aid in processing emotions. By doing these, you can prevent stress from embedding itself deeply into your memory, allowing you to move forward with greater resilience. 😊

[u/K_Lavender7]

the only way to lessen the impact of stressful situation is to lower the stress they illicit. there are plenty of paths that can do this, like buddhism, hinduism and even CBT and other modern psychological therapies. the trick is to change the way you think and also the way you relate to what you think.. emotions don't rise independently they are always preceded by a thought so learning to control the thoughts is a huge part of it, good luck

[u/somanyquestions32]

You can practice meditation techniques that clear unhelpful samskaras, the deep grooves in the subconscious mind associated with past impressions. Both yoga nidra practices and Vishoka Meditation can help with that. You can try this practice: https://youtu.be/Q1Cay8ul7J8

These techniques also help with nervous system regulation and help you release stored stress and tension in body/breath/mind.

[u/[deleted]]

Honestly, for me it's best to sit with the feeling when it arises and talk to myself like a good friend would. The feeling has to come out but when you can entertain the thought without it having that powerful bodily effect that comes with it it's lost its power. Fighting it keeps it around Obviously depending on what the thing is you may not be ready, in which case distraction is a good and acceptable strategy. Do it when you're ready

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The fact that it's stressful means it will stay with you. It's how we've evolved but can you take away the power it has over you

[u/ember2698]

Do you think back on previously stressful events, and still feel bothered by the deadline, conversation exchange, etc? Or do you think back on them with way less emotion now that you're removed / in the present? I guess I just don't see the issue - it's not the stress that carries over (at least here) but the memory of it, which are two different things.