Stress can make you forgetful

Stress can make you forgetful

We all have stress in our lives sometimes making us tired, grumpy, and even forgetful, but experts say there's hope.

The problem is we get too focused on whatever we're stressing about then forget even the simplest things. One restaurant server on Tuesday said stress is all about how you manage it.

If you've ever waited tables, you know how busy server Bridgitte Mackey is at lunchtime. Her job at Gordonville Grill is busy, but good.

"I love it, I absolutely love my job,” Mackey said.

She said it can be stressful, too.

"We get five tables in there at once and I have to go back and forth from each table and I will have to admit that there has been at least one maybe twice that I've forgot to ring in a food order or something like that,” Mackey said.

Experts say that's normal.

In demanding jobs, one Cape Girardeau phycologist said all of our focus is on the stress and that makes us forget facts or other things we'd usually remember. It's something that happens to all of us.

"I have to make a list and then I still forget,” Terri Hirte said. "Raising three kids, you've got to remember them individually and all of their needs and wants."

That's why Terri and her husband have taken an afternoon to themselves.

"[We came] for the Ruben sandwiches here,” Hirte said. “[It helps us relax and] get away from the problems back home."

Dr. David Van Pelt with Applied Psychological Center says relaxation is the first step in managing stress and improving memory.

He said, then, try to reduce pressure, have a positive attitude, and get regular exercise.

Mackey said it helps her to leave work at work.

"Just go home, just spend the evening at home, watching Netflix, hang out, play with my daughter,” Mackey said.

That way when it's time to start another day, she's ready for a full plate.

Dr. Van Pelt said not all stress is bad and makes us forget things.

For example, stress like you have when you're studying for a test can actually make you more aware and strengthen your memory.

Also, with the bad kind of stress and your memory, the forgetfulness goes away when the stress does.

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