Embracing Stress for Greater Happiness

We have been made to believe that stress is the thief to our happiness.

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But what if I told you that stress isn’t the obstacle.?

That in fact, stress could be an unexpected pathway to greater happiness?

What??

Yes – you heard (read?) that right.

It’s time to redefine our relationship with stress.

It's time to transform our attitude that stress is something to avoid - to stress being something that can aid our quest for happiness.

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If only we could live a completely stress-free existence.

But would that make us happier?

To answer that question, let’s first talk about amoebas, because… well why not?

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Learning from Amoebas

Amoebas, you may remember, are those single cell organisms from biology that live in fresh water.?

They’re super small! ?

Researchers that study stress response found that amoebas exposed to mild environmental stressors (e.g., changes in temperatures, pH levels, or nutrient availability) not only thrived but also lived longer than those amoebas that led a completely stress-free existence. ?The takeaway is that mild stress “prepares” the amoebas to better cope with future stressors more easily.

It’s important to note that while mild stressors can be beneficial, there is a tipping point of course, and excessive stress levels can be harmful.?

The key is the balance and intensity of the stress exposure.

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This study suggests that stress can play an important role in promoting resilience and vitality.

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Now I’m sure that someone must be wondering,

"What do amoebas have to do with my stress and happiness??"

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According to the universal principle of growth through adversity, just as amoebas can benefit from mild stress, we too can leverage our challenges to increase resilience, grow, and ultimately, enhance our happiness.

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When there is no struggle, there is no strength. – Oprah

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Stress and Happiness – How are They Related?

Remember this concept from last week?

Our thoughts create our reality.

Option 1: If I view stress as a menacing force in my life, it immediately creates a sense of resentment and resistance.? Suddenly my life is ruled by fear and frustration. (catabolic energy)

Option 2: If I view stress as an opportunity for growth and change, the situation then becomes a catalyst for positive change and empowerment.? (anabolic energy)

Need a refresher on Core Energy? ? Check out this article from my archive. Click here.

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What Good is Stress Anyways?

Imagine a stress-free life …

gently swinging on a hammock on a sandy beach

with just the perfect mixture of shade and sun…

and a nice warm breeze and …

Ahhh….

Wait… where am I again??

Oh yes!? I was about to talk about how stress plays a beneficial role in our lives.

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Beneficial Aspects of Stress

1. ?Stress Motivates:

Mild to moderate degrees of stress can push us to achieve our goals and pursue success. It can provide the drive and energy to overcome challenges and obstacles which can lead to greater happiness.

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2. ?Stress Builds Resilience:

Dealing with stressors can help us develop resilience (so we bounce back from challenges), strengthen our coping skills, and make us more adaptable to change.? When we are more resilient, we can react and adapt in a way that is beneficial, and this promotes greater happiness.

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3. ?Stress Enhances Performance:

Stress can help promote increased focus and concentration, leading to greater productivity and creativity. ?Greater productivity and creativity help foster fulfillment and happiness in our lives.

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4. ?Stress Promotes Learning:

Facing stressful situations can force us to think critically and problem-solve, ultimately stimulating learning and personal growth. ?When we learn new things and grow, we enhance our overall happiness in life.

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Stress is a natural part the human experience.

Trying to avoid it entirely is unrealistic, but learning to embrace it can help make us happier.

The key is finding balance.

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Practical Tips to Transform Stress into Happiness

1. Acknowledge and Accept Stress

By recognizing and accepting stress as a part of life (and not a sign of failure), we can shift our perspective to one of acceptance.? Acceptance doesn’t mean resigning ourselves to stress but seeing it as an opportunity where we push our boundaries, grow, and evolve.

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2. Seek Growth and Opportunity

After we acknowledge and accept a stressor, it’s time to think about how we can use the stressor as an opportunity for growth. ?

What can I learn from this situation??

How can it make me stronger, wiser, or more compassionate?

By focusing on the opportunities that stress presents, we raise our core energy and open ourselves up to new levels of resilience and greater happiness.

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3. Seek Joy in the Little Things

Make a conscious effort to find joy in the small moments of daily life.? It’s all about choosing where we want to focus our energy each day.? If we prioritize spending our energy on finding the joy and happiness in life, rather than devoting our energy entirely to the stressors, we can foster greater long-term happiness.

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4. Focus on What is Within Your Control

There are a lot of things that we have absolutely no control over in life.? What we can control, is our thoughts and feelings and actions.? Spending our energy on aspects of our life that we can influence, rather than stressing over those we cannot, will lead to greater life satisfaction and happiness.

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Concluding Thoughts

In our quest to create a happier life, it's important to recognize that stress can be an integral and beneficial part of the journey. ?Just as stress promotes vitality and resilience in amoebas, we too can benefit from stress by reframing it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and greater happiness. ?

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In conclusion, there’s no need to avoid stress or view it as the thief to happiness. A stress-free life would deprive us of many avenues to greater happiness. ?Stress makes us more resilient and empowered, which leads to growth and opportunity.

The goal isn't to eliminate stress from our lives altogether, but to learn how to navigate it with grace, wisdom, and an open heart.

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Hi - I'm Tracy and I help physicians (and non-physicians) who feel stuck to create the life they really want and be happier.

thehappyphysician.com

My goal is to help inspire a happier world one person at a time.

Want to learn more about working with me as your coach? Send me a message!

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