Are Stress Levels of Scribes Affected by Alcohol Intake?

Stress levels in journalists can be caused due to various factors, but alcohol consumption might be the main culprit, according to a recent study.

When journalists end up drinking a bit too much, their brains start operating at a level, which is lower than the brain functionality of the average population.

Deadlines, accountability and low pay might play important roles in causing stress levels to shoot up for journalists, but over consumption of alcohol is the main cause for increase in stress levels.

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‘The study found out that work pressure is not taking a toll on their endurance, because they have a belief that they are doing a job which is meaningful.’

Journalists' brains, showed a lower level of executive functioning, the ability of the brain to regulate emotions, suppress bias, switch between tasks, solve complex problems and think flexibly and creatively, the study said.

This was driven by a number of factors, including high levels of alcohol, sugar and caffeine consumption; dehydration; and limited time given to mindfulness, which would allow individuals to take a break from busy mental thought.

In the study conducted in association with the London Press Club, neuroscientist Tara Swart found that 41 per cent of the journalists drank 18 or more units of alcohol a week while the recommended weekly allowance is 14.

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Less than five per cent of the journalists drank enough water, showed the findings presented at a London Press Club event held at the Corinthia Hotel this week.

However, the pressures of the job are not affecting journalists' ability to endure and bounce back from adversity in the long term, due to a belief that their work has meaning and purpose.

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The study, which sought to determine how journalists are able to survive and thrive under stress, thus showed that "love of the job" protects journalists' mental resilience but alcohol and bad habits are holding them back.

"It's been great to see the role that meaning and purpose plays in achieving mental resilience. There is more that journalists can do to achieve peak performance -implementing a few really simple changes to help their brains perform even better." Swart said.

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"I hope this study serves as an useful tool to journalists, but also to anyone who wants to understand how neuroscience can show us how to join up brain and body health, and through that become more mentally resilient." Swart added.

The researcher explained that alcohol is a depressant and neurotoxin. When alcohol is consumed the liver must work harder to remove the neurotoxins from the body.

When this occurs during sleep, at a time when the body should be in recovery, this causes a stress reaction.

Alcohol also contributes to dehydration. As little as a one to three per cent change in hydration levels can result in lower physical, visuomotor, psychomotor and cognitive performance. Dehydration can also significantly impair short-term memory capability, the study said.

Source-IANS