Stress is Good for You

“Stress will kill you” adage is wrong. But your belief in that statement can. Don’t look at stress as a problem. Flip your view to that of possibility.

A busy life where you strive for more doesn’t mean you are burning yourself out unless you let yourself think so. In fact, by simply changing your perspective you gain high volumes of energy to motivate your efforts.

Why does this matter? Research says that 85% of health problems are related to stress. However, when you look deeper new studies also reveal our “buy-in” to the negative side effects of stress determines how our health weathers the storms of life.

In other words, if you have high stress and believe it harms you, you’re 43% more likely to die from it.
Versus, if you believe stress is an elixir to attack life, in a healthy manner, you have the lowest risk.

By adjusting your perspective, turning anxiety into adrenaline, you create recyclable fuel for motivation that the most successful and joyful people in the world readily tap into—over and over again. Pressure is good. As you push out of your comfort zone you stretch in ways you never imagined possible. If you welcome “stressful” situations the blood-pumping excitement arms you to rise to challenges in remarkable ways. When there are levels of stress that most others crumble under, you can find a sense of calm and clarity that allows for decisive positive action.

Managed stress is absolutely necessary for growth and change. Think of it physiologically, whether it’s muscle or intellect, stress ignites change. Change is the single most reliable constant of nature. It’s how we handle it and how we channel it that’s important. Stress is one of the most misunderstood tools to address change.

Think of stress this way. Remember that feeling of being “in the zone”—where everything just flows? You are in an optimal mental and physical state in complete absorption of the activity at hand. Time stands still while you conquer the moment. This place you are is characterized by tunnel vision, full involvement, and, frankly, pure joy. Wahoo, is that place amazing or what? It makes us smile like 3-year-olds.

Let’s further this point with well put science. Watch this TedTalk by health psychologist Kelly McGonigal to get the facts. She shares how to change your physical reaction to stress and the repercussions stress wields on your being. You see those stress responders that cause your heart to race and increase your rapid breath are your body’s way of getting you prepared to handle whatever comes at you. They give you more blood and oxygen to conquer it. And if you are intellectually in the right mindset, they promote confidence, calm and courage. Yum!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU]

Contribution to the world and fulfillment of self take activity. But the dark thoughts attached to the typical way we view “stress” don’t need to be a part of it. The amount of time, energy and effort to get there and to keep your life running is exorbitant. If the stress isn’t high, most likely you are stagnant or about to be. Live in place of real progress by creating pressure to innovate, change and grow. Fight to make what you do more impactful with the highest levels of meaning possible. Be the risk-taker you were born to be, but do it with intelligence. This is a growth mindset at its best.

“One thing we know for certain,” states Kelly McGonigal, “chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort.”

Learn, stretch, strive and just plain GO FOR IT WITH ALL YOU’VE GOT! The quality of your life is in your hands.