Stress is often seen as the enemy of mental health and well-being. We are told to avoid it, reduce it, or cope with it. But what if stress could be a source of inner peace and happiness? What if, instead of trying to eliminate stress, we could learn to harness it and use it to our advantage?
In this blog post, we will explore the surprising benefits of stress, how it can help us grow and thrive, and how we can manage it carefully to achieve optimal mental wellness. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about stress and mental health.
What is stress and how does it affect us?
Stress is a natural and inevitable response to any challenge or demand that we face in life. It is the body’s way of preparing us to deal with a potential threat or opportunity. When we encounter a stressful situation, our brain activates the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers a cascade of physiological and psychological changes, such as:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Faster breathing and oxygen delivery
- Release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol
- Heightened alertness and focus
- Enhanced memory and learning
- Mobilization of energy and resources
- Suppression of non-essential functions such as digestion and immunity
These changes are designed to help us survive and overcome the challenge, by giving us more strength, speed, and stamina. They also help us adapt and learn from the experience, by enhancing our brain’s plasticity and resilience.
However, stress can also have negative effects on our health and well-being, especially when it is chronic, excessive, or uncontrolled. Chronic stress can impair our immune system, increase inflammation, damage our cells and organs, and increase the risk of various diseases, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer’s disease
Chronic stress can also affect our mood, cognition, behavior, and relationships, by causing:
- Irritability and anger
- Sadness and hopelessness
- Fear and anxiety
- Confusion and memory loss
- Impulsivity and risk-taking
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Conflict and aggression
Therefore, stress is not inherently good or bad, but rather a double-edged sword that can have both positive and negative effects on our mental health and well-being, depending on how we perceive it, respond to it, and manage it.
How can stress be a source of inner peace and happiness?
While stress can be harmful and unpleasant, it can also be beneficial and rewarding, if we view it as a challenge rather than a threat, and as an opportunity rather than a problem. Research has shown that our mindset and attitude towards stress can influence how it affects us, both physically and psychologically.
For example, a study by Harvard psychologist Kelly McGonigal found that people who viewed stress as a positive and adaptive response, rather than a harmful one, had lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and higher levels of DHEA (a hormone that counteracts the effects of cortisol and promotes growth and repair). They also reported more confidence, joy, and satisfaction in their lives.
Another study by Stanford psychologist Alia Crum found that people who viewed stress as enhancing rather than debilitating, had better performance, health, and well-being outcomes, such as:
- Higher levels of engagement and motivation
- Greater creativity and problem-solving skills
- Improved immune system and cardiovascular function
- Lower levels of depression and anxiety
- Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction
These studies suggest that stress can be a source of inner peace and happiness, if we embrace it rather than avoid it, and use it as a catalyst for growth and transformation, rather than a barrier to success and fulfillment.
How can we manage stress carefully to achieve optimal mental wellness?
While stress can have positive effects on our mental health and well-being, it is important to manage it carefully and wisely, to avoid its negative consequences and maximize its benefits. Here are some tips on how to do so:
- Recognize your stress signals. Pay attention to how your body and mind react to stress, and identify the signs and symptoms that indicate that you are stressed. These may include physical sensations (such as muscle tension, headache, or stomach ache), emotional reactions (such as anger, sadness, or fear), cognitive changes (such as difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions), or behavioral patterns (such as eating more or less, sleeping more or less, or drinking more or less).
- Assess your stress level. Once you recognize your stress signals, evaluate how intense and frequent your stress is, and how it affects your health and well-being. You can use a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is no stress at all, and 10 is extreme stress. A moderate level of stress (around 4 to 6) can be beneficial and motivating, while a low level of stress (below 3) can be boring and demotivating, and a high level of stress (above 7) can be harmful and overwhelming.
- Adjust your stress response. Depending on your stress level, you can choose to either reduce or increase your stress response, to achieve a more optimal and balanced state. If your stress level is too high, you can use relaxation techniques (such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation) to calm your body and mind and cope with the stressor. If your stress level is too low, you can use stimulation techniques (such as physical activity, music, or humor) to energize your body and mind and challenge yourself with the stressor.
- Reframe your stress mindset. As we discussed earlier, how you view stress can influence how it affects you. Therefore, you can reframe your stress mindset, by changing the way you think and feel about stress. Instead of seeing stress as a threat or a problem, you can see it as a challenge or an opportunity. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of stress, you can focus on the positive aspects of stress. Instead of feeling helpless or hopeless, you can feel confident and hopeful.
- Seek support and feedback. Stress can be easier to manage and more rewarding to experience if you have the support and feedback of others who care about you and understand you. You can seek support and feedback from your family, friends, colleagues, or professionals, who can offer you emotional, practical, or informational help. You can also provide support and feedback to others who are going through stress, which can boost your self-esteem, empathy, and social skills.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about stress and mental health:
- Q: Is stress always bad for mental health?
- A: No, stress can have both positive and negative effects on mental health, depending on how we perceive it, respond to it, and manage it. Stress can help us improve our performance, learning, and adaptation, as well as enhance our mood, motivation, and satisfaction. However, stress can also impair our health, cognition, and behavior, as well as increase our risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
- Q: How much stress is too much stress?
- A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different people have different thresholds and tolerances for stress. However, a general guideline is that stress is too much when it interferes with your daily functioning, health, and well-being, and when it exceeds your coping resources and abilities. Some signs that you may be experiencing too much stress include:
- Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or burned out
- Having frequent or severe physical or mental health problems
- Having difficulty sleeping, eating, or concentrating
- Having trouble maintaining your relationships, responsibilities, or goals
- Having thoughts of harming yourself or others
- Q: How can I cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- A: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major source of stress for many people, due to the uncertainty, fear, isolation, and disruption that it has caused. To cope with stress during the pandemic, you can:
- Follow the public health guidelines and recommendations to protect yourself and others from the virus, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping a safe distance
- Stay informed and updated about the situation, but limit your exposure to news and media that may be upsetting or inaccurate
- Maintain a regular and healthy routine, including sleeping, eating, exercising, and relaxing
- Stay connected and communicate with your loved ones, friends, and community, using phone, video, or online platforms
- Seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or suicidal
I hope this blog post helps you understand the shocking source of inner peace: how stress, managed carefully, can propel your mental wellness to new heights. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading and stay well!
By
Venita Adams
