Stress is part of life, especially with how fast things move in modern business. I personally have worked on managing my own stress for the past 10 years. Thankfully, I’ve found some great ‘hacks’ or coping skills such as: sleeping 7+ hours, eating healthy (no alcohol, caffeine, sugar, or fast food), and working out consistently! This has been so powerful for me managing my stress that I regularly say “I have the answers!”.
Nearly 20,000 Americans die each year not from stress itself, but from the belief that it’s harmful. In her Ted Talk, Kelly McGonigal teaches us how to rewire our brains to be better at stress.
What does this look like?
- Stress is inevitable, but the harmful effects for stress on your health are not.
- Changing how you think and how you act in response to stress can transform your physical state.
- The body’s natural responses are not meant to hurt you, rather to help you.
- Stress isn’t the enemy. Fear of stress is.
We’ve all felt it, pounding heart, shallow breathing, high blood pressure, pulling away from others.
It feels like your body is turning against you. But what if it’s really doing the opposite? What if these reactions are your body preparing you to rise to the challenge?
Flip the Script: Change Your Thinking
- Your heart pounds to pump more blood.
- Your breathing quickens to deliver more oxygen to your brain.
Your body is getting ready for action. What you’re feeling isn’t fear, it’s readiness. Interpreting these physical signs as helpful can actually make you more confident, calm, and capable.
Oxytocin: The Stress Hormone You Want
Oxytocin (A neuro hormone associated with care and compassion) is also part of the stress response. When you are stressed, Oxytocin is released. This makes you more likely to connect with others, reach out for help, and show empathy.
Benefits of Oxytocin:
- Protects your heart
- Helps heart cells regenerate
- Reduces inflammation from stress
In other words, stress can make you stronger, physically, emotionally, and socially if you learn to work with it, not against it.
Charlie Coppola
