STRESS WITH BENEFITS!
Stress is an inevitable part of life. We often hear people say, “I’m stressed at work,” “My relationship is stressful,” or “I’m worried about my children’s future.” Society usually views stress in a negative light, but what if we could change that perspective? Could stress actually help us grow?
Dr. Rajesh Bajaj, MD, suggests that stress, when approached with a positive mindset, can stimulate personal evolution. Instead of letting stress defeat us, we can see it as an opportunity to develop innovative solutions. By embracing excitement and optimism during challenging times, we can shift from distress to eustress—a type of stress that motivates and energizes us.
Hans Selye, the father of stress research, explained that stress is simply our body’s response to a stressor. But each individual’s reaction to stress is unique, shaped by their mindset, attitude, and personality. The key is to build positive habits that support mental and emotional well-being.
A great resource to develop these habits is Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. To start, consider these three habits:
- Be proactive: Take control of your responses rather than being reactive.
- Put First Things First: Prioritize what truly matters.
- Begin with the End in Mind: Focus on long-term goals and solutions.
By cultivating these habits and a positive attitude, we can transform stress into a tool for success, rather than something that defeats us.
References:
- Pluut et al., 2022. Development and Validation of a Short Measure of Emotional, Physical, and Behavioral Markers of Eustress and Distress (MEDS).
- Covey, S. R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Franklin Covey
For more insights on managing stress and how to harness its benefits, check out this helpful video: Stress: How to Turn Challenges into Positive Energy.
