Why stress isn't always the enemy?

Do you feel stressed? Good for you. You heard me right. Scientific research has evolved a lot on the subject, to the point where thinking you are stressed, or at least thinking that stress can cause harm, is more dangerous to your health than the stress itself. A change of paradigm is needed.

New research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case.

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction. In this article, we will explore the concept of stress, its negative and positive effects, and how we can reframe our perception of stress to help us lead healthier and happier lives.

What we all know about stress

Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. When we encounter a stressful situation, our body responds by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare us for a fight or flight response. In the short term, this response can be beneficial, helping us to stay alert, focused, and ready to take action. However, when stress becomes chronic or prolonged, it can have negative effects on our health and well-being.

Chronic stress has been linked to a range of physical and mental health problems. For example, long-term stress can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It can also lead to digestive problems, headaches, and weakened immune function. In terms of mental health, chronic stress has been linked to depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. These negative effects have led many to view stress as a public health enemy that must be avoided at all costs.

Changing the way we think about stress

While chronic stress can be harmful, not all stress is bad. Stress can have positive effects on our health and well-being. According to Kelly McGonigal, stress can help us to grow, learn, and become more resilient. In her TED Talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," McGonigal explains that stress can motivate us to take action and achieve our goals. It can also help us to build social connections and strengthen our relationships with others.

McGonigal's perspective on stress challenges the notion that stress is always harmful. Instead, she suggests that it is our perception of stress that determines whether it has positive or negative effects on our health and well-being. If we view stress as a challenge rather than a threat, we are more likely to experience its positive effects.

Reframing our perception of stress

So how can we reframe our perception of stress to view it as a positive rather than a negative? McGonigal suggests several strategies that can help us to change our mindset:

• Embrace the physical symptoms of stress: When we experience stress, our body responds with physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweaty palms. Instead of viewing these symptoms as a sign of weakness, we can see them as a sign that our body is preparing us for action.
• Focus on the meaning of stress: Rather than viewing stress as something to be avoided, we can focus on the meaning behind it. For example, if we are feeling stressed about a work project, we can see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than as a burden.
• Cultivate a positive mindset: By focusing on positive emotions such as gratitude, compassion, and joy, we can build resilience and reduce the negative effects of stress.
• Connect with others: Building social connections and supporting others can help us to manage stress and build resilience.

The unsung mechanism for stress reduction

In addition to reframing our perception of stress, McGonigal introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: the social stress response. The social stress response is a set of biological mechanisms that activate when we experience stress in the presence of others. These mechanisms include the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes social bonding and reduces stress.

According to McGonigal, the social stress response is a powerful tool that we can use to manage stress and build resilience. By reaching out to others and connecting with them during times of stress, we can activate the social stress response and reduce the negative effects of stress on our health and well-being.

Putting it into practice

So how can we put these ideas into practice in our daily lives? Here are some strategies suggested by McGonigal:

1. Reframe stress as a positive: Rather than viewing stress as a threat, see it as a challenge or an opportunity for growth.
2. Embrace physical symptoms of stress: Instead of seeing physical symptoms of stress as a weakness, recognize that they are a sign that your body is preparing you for action.
3. Focus on the meaning of stress: Look for the meaning behind stress, and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
4. Cultivate a positive mindset: Focus on positive emotions such as gratitude, compassion, and joy, and build resilience.
5. Connect with others: Build social connections, support others, and activate the social stress response to reduce the negative effects of stress on your health and well-being.

A healthy response to challenges and opportunities

In closing, stress is an inevitable part of life, and it can take many forms, from the everyday stress of work and relationships to more acute stressors like traumatic events. While stress can sometimes feel overwhelming, it is important to recognize that not all stress is bad, and that some stress can even be beneficial. Stress can be a natural and healthy response to challenges and opportunities, providing us with the energy and motivation we need to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.

However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can have negative consequences for our health and well-being. Chronic stress can contribute to a range of physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety. This is why it is important to manage stress effectively, and to find ways to cope with stress in a healthy and productive way.

One of the key insights from Kelly McGonigal's research is that our perception of stress plays a crucial role in how we experience it.

By seeing stress as a positive challenge rather than a negative threat, we can change the way our bodies respond to stress and reduce its negative effects.

This can be a powerful tool for managing stress and building resilience, and can help us to stay healthy and productive even in the face of adversity.

Ultimately, stress is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can have both positive and negative effects on our lives. By understanding the nature of stress, and by adopting effective strategies for managing it, we can navigate life's challenges with greater ease and confidence, and emerge stronger and more resilient on the other side.

Sources:

McGonigal, K. (2013). How to make stress your friend [Video file].

National Institute of Mental Health. (2017). 5 things you should know about stress. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml

Seaward, B. L. (2018). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being (9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw-Hill.

About the author

Laurent Poliquin holds a PhD in French-Canadian literature from the University of Manitoba and teaches in Winnipeg public schools. Winner of the Rue-Deschambault Prize in 2015 and the Léopold-Sédar-Senghor International Poetry Prize in 2018, he is now considered one of the leading voices of French-language poetry in Western Canada. Among the twenty or so books (poetry, essays, short stories) he has written, he recently published?Les foudres du silence?(2019),?L'ivresse fragile de l'aube?(2021),?Le petit bruit du poème?(2022) and?L'acharnement des ruines?(2023).