How much does chronic stress impair working memory? Should I just give up on life since I can't seem to manage my anxiety?

Chronic stress greatly impairs the mind's ability to retain information.
Here is an answer added to the Quora Mind-Body & Chronic Pain space.

When we are under stress our minds do not function as well as they should. We are too busy managing the stress to be fully engaged and effective.

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All processes, such as reason, logic, problem solving and memory are negatively impacted.
Chronic stress is a common complaint, but no one should give up on life because of it.
Here is a process that can be followed to relieve chronic stress.
    1    Write a list of all the current Demands we have including all of the internal (physical and mental health) and external (environments and people) stimuli that require attention and action from us.
    2    Decide what methods can be used to reduce Demand and the stress reaction we have to it.
I’ve attached links to a simple spread sheet (Excel and CSV versions) that can be used to record our Demands, and make choices about how to proceed with them, in order to lessen the stress caused by our set of Demands.

Demand Review Spreadsheet - Excel

Demand Review Spreadsheet - CSV

We can control our stress, by reducing our exposure to Demand.