Stress. It has always been known to be associated with many health ailments, along with a robust array of marketed medications, along with regiments of exercise and diet in efforts to combat it. It’s no surprise this is the current landscape, given our post-pandemic fast paced lives, filled with many responsibilities, such as managing our family, money, work, home, and ourselves.
But what if the possibility exists that stress is a good thing, and even healthy for us? Science tells us it is, IF we choose to think about it in a different way than we ever have before. Scientific studies show that how we choose to think and subsequently the way we act about stress DOES make a tremendous difference.
I found this 14 minute, 28 second TED Talk, “How to Make Stress Your Friend”, led by psychologist Kelly McGonigal, that is just incredible! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU . Kelly shares her scientific findings that the risk of illness and death drop dramatically when we choose to view stress differently. Furthermore, when we embrace a mindset where we can view stressors positively and see them as helpful or exciting, we are creating a biology of courage. Additionally, during the times we are under stress, through it all, when we spend time connecting with others and giving back in some way, we are creating resilience. In the end, combating stress could be as simple as changing our view to embrace it positively, hence “mind over matter.” Check out how the scientific data proves it in this Ted Talk! Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below!
We will be having some engaging discussions about stress at our Better Together Meeting, so stay tuned, as there will be more learnings on this topic arriving next week! 😊
Wishing you all a Better We, Better Week! 😊
Lori Beth
