Stress is Good for You - If You Think it is
Stress is harmful when you believe it is.
We’ve all heard that stress is bad for us and that it’s the cause of many illnesses. But research suggests that we should embrace stress.
In one 2006 US study, researchers discovered that high levels of stress increased the risk of death by as much as 43 percent. But this was only in people who believed stress was harmful. Those who reported high stress levels but didn’t believe it was harmful had the lowest risk of death of all participants, leading to the conclusion that stress is harmful – when you believe it is.
One study at Yale University showed that people who looked positively upon old age lived 7.6 years longer. That’s a lot more than the extra four years you earn by exercising and not smoking!
Positivity is a form of belief so powerful that it can influence your body’s health.
Your attitude toward stress is a central part of your mindset which shapes the choices you make in everyday life. If you view stress as harmful, you tend to try and avoid it at all costs. People who view stress as helpful, on the other hand, are more likely to come up with strategies to cope with the source of stress, seek help and make the best of the situation.
If your workplace wellbeing programs tell workers that stress is harming them- it probably is.. whereas messages that promote positivity should have greater benefits to overall worker health
Read more about the above research in the book by Psychologist Kelly McGonigal ‘The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It ‘ or watch Kelly’s Ted talk with over 32 million views: How to make stress your friend.
Stress in the Workplace is Also Good for Business
Another unconventional perspective is described in the book Stress in the workplace- how to cause it. Howard Edwards explodes the myth that a happy company is a productive one.
In a satirical approach to workplace management, focusing on intentionally inducing stress to increase productivity, Edwards explains that stress has a vital role to play in a company's success. Too many business approaches focus on employee contentment and team building, whereas the feel-good factor makes staff more placid and therefore less competitive.
(It's important to note that excessive stress can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and other negative outcomes. In a real-world setting, a balance between motivation and well-being is crucial for sustainable productivity and a positive work environment.)