We think that stress is always wrong and d, don’t even believe it has any benefits. Yes, you read it right, the benefits of stress! Low or moderate amounts of stress have benefits and may make you stronger, brighter, and happier. In this article, we talk about stress’s positive effects and benefits. Stay with us.
1. It May strengthen the brain
You may have heard the saying, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is also true for stress; Short periods of stress may improve brain health. In a study published in 2013, researchers put mice in a short-term stressful situation (they were immobilized in a cage for several hours), and the experience doubled the growth of new brain cells. The mice also performed better later in the memory test. Researchers believe that positive stress has the same effect on humans. Controllable pressure increases a person’s alertness and performance.
“Stress is a trigger that signals to us that something important is happening,” says Dr. Bethany Teichman, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. “If we judge the situation as challenging but controllable, this motivation increases our focus and helps us to do our best to meet the challenge.”
2. It May improve memory
Remembering the details of a stressful encounter is essential for survival. Animals better at remembering dangerous situations can better survive those situations in the future. “If an animal encounters a predator and manages to escape, it needs to remember where and when that encounter happened,” says neuroscientist Dr. Daniela Kafer. So it is logical that exposure to moderate stress is also beneficial for humans and improves memory .”
The brain constantly reacts to stress. “Biologically, exposure to moderate stress increases the production of cells involved in remembering the stressful event,” Kaffer says.
3. It may give you energy
Short-term stress can boost your energy by a notch or two, especially if the pressure is positive. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author of Living with Depression, says: “Eustress is a beneficial stimulus for the body. Situations that challenge or are exciting stress our minds and body. Still, this stress does not cause discomfort but motivates us, sharpens our senses, and helps us solve problems successfully. Let’s solve it.”
4. It may prevent diseases
While chronic and long-term stress may predispose a person to various conditions, short-term positive pressure creates a protective barrier against infection. “Positive stress increases the function of your immune system,” says Dr. Serani.
According to a review of research published in 2013, manageable stress may increase resilience and resistance to disease.
5. It may make your child smarter
The good news for pregnant women who experience anxiety and everyday stress is that, according to research, short-term stress does not negatively affect fetal development. Of course, no one advises pregnant women to seek stress stimulation, but if you’re a little anxious, that’s okay.
One of the studies found that children who experienced short-term stress in early life (such as a short-term separation from their mother) had less anxiety and better brain function in adulthood. Of course, we must not forget that prolonged stress in infancy and childhood has many negative consequences.
6. It might make you do your work better
The energy and vitality that good stress gives you may help you focus better. Psychologists call this feeling flow; The feeling of the flu makes you have excitement, energy, and total concentration to do something. This is why some people work better when under pressure.
Positive stressors such as running a race, taking an exam, starting a new job, giving a speech, meeting a new friend, starting a new hobby, getting married, or having a baby cause positive stress.
7. It may give you confidence
When you face a challenge beyond your control, you experience the stress that will make you succeed. “Rather than causing distress, positive stress stimulates health-promoting biochemicals such as endorphins,” says Dr. Sarani.
For example, if you have heart palpitations before the start of the speech, think that the positive stress caused by the address has challenged your body and does not intend to scare you or cause panic. Making this small mental switch can help you channel positive stress. Rather than harming you, this stress improves your performance and gives you self-confidence.
8. It makes you more adaptable
Some stress is a normal part of life, and those who can view it positively may benefit more from its beneficial effects. If we believe that the stressor is an unsolvable threat, we will probably experience the negative consequences of stress. Still, if instead of this negative thinking, we see the situation as a challenge that we must manage well, we will be motivated to take steps to face the challenge because We believe that we have this ability. In this situation, we do not run away from stress but look for solutions.
A person can react differently to a stressful factor. For example, imagine a student whose stressful factor is an exam. If this person thinks there is no way to succeed in the exam and the stress makes him feel like a failure, he won’t even bother to study. But if the same person sees the exam as a challenge to overcome, he thinks that if he learns hard, he can get a good grade. The way we look at a stressor has a significant impact on how we manage it.
9. Stress helps you handle more stress
Controlling stress will help you manage more pressure! “Learning coping responses in different situations can be helpful,” says Dr. Teichman.
Having the experience of managing a stressful situation makes you feel self-efficacious; you believe you have the resources and ability to achieve your goals. When we think that we can be effective, that feeling gives us the motivation that prepares us to take on more significant challenges.
Even when things don’t go well, you can learn from the experience. Dr. Teichmann says, “If we view stressful situations as opportunities to learn from the possibility of failure, we are better positioned to manage challenges effectively.”
10. Stress makes life meaningful for you
Going through stressful situations makes you appreciate life more. If you change how you view stress, you can see its positive effects on your life. Some positive pressure makes you cope with life better.
you say
How do you act when you are stressed? Are there any things you would like to add to our article on the benefits of stress? Please share your valuable comments and experiences with our dear users and us.
