Can stress be a good thing?
Print
EmailWhile chronic stress is known to cause health problems, research indicates that short bouts of stress may help the body adapt to stressful conditions.
Most people think of stress as something to avoid. While chronic stress can harm physical and mental health, researchers have found that not all stress is bad. In fact, short-term stress is a normal response that can help us meet challenges, adapt to change and perform our best.
The American Psychological Association explains that stress is the brain and body’s response to challenges. Researchers describe stress as having three parts: the stressor or the challenge, the way we think about what is happening and the body’s stress response. Whether we are preparing for an important presentation, learning a new skill or responding to an emergency, stress is part of life.
The Mayo Clinic says the brain and body have an alarm system. When something stressful happens, this alarm system sets off a chain reaction in the body: heart rate increases, the body’s energy becomes more available and we become more alert. The purpose of this response is to help us react quickly to threats or challenges. In the short term, these changes can be helpful because they prepare the body to act.
The problem occurs when the stress response stays active for a long time.
Many people think of stress as something that is bad for our health. Chronic stress can increase the risk of health problems like anxiety, depression, digestive problems, heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain and problems with memory or concentration. While the body’s stress response is designed to protect us, it can negatively affect health when it is activated too often or for too long.
Believe it or not, some stress can have benefits. Under the right circumstances, brief periods of stress may help support immune function and enhance mental and physical performance. One example of beneficial stress is exercise. Physical activity temporarily activates many of the same systems involved in the stress response. During exercise, hormones increase, the cardiovascular system works harder and the body is challenged to adapt. Over time, these changes help improve fitness and resilience. Regular, moderate exercise may also help keep the body’s stress response functioning well. You can think of it as training to help the body deal with stress.
To help explain the differences in stress, researchers proposed the concept of the “Stress Spectrum.” On one end is “good stress,” which is brief, manageable and followed by recovery. On the other end is “bad stress,” which is long-term and can be overwhelming. Between these two ends is the “resting zone,” which is a period of low or no stress that allows the body and mind to recover. The goal is not to eliminate stress. Instead, the goal is to minimize “bad stress,” maximize “good stress” and include recovery. Facing manageable challenges and getting adequate recovery can help build resilience and improve how we manage stress in the future.
Regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, good quality sleep, coping strategies, social support, and mindfulness practices can also support resilience and recovery from stress. Michigan State University Extension offers a variety of programs to learn more. Together, these habits can help reduce the impact of chronic stress and support well-being.
Michigan State University Extension offers Mindfulness for Better Living programs that can help reduce stress-related symptoms such as worry, depression, and physical tension as well as chronic conditions like cardiac disease and diabetes.
