Finding the sweet spot with stress, it is not all bad

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There’s this idea that stress is bad for our health, and while too much of it can be harmful, especially when it’s chronic, according to one doctor, certain types of stress can be good for us. Dr. Sharon Bergquist says, “Yes, too much stress can harm us, but not enough is actually just as harmful.” And getting the right amount of it may actually be good for our wellbeing.

According to Bergquist’s research, the reason some people thrive from stress while others don’t depends on the type and amount of stress they’re exposed to. What we think of as “bad” stress is unpredictable, unavoidable and triggers the release of cortisol, which can have negative effects on our bodies, like high blood pressure. But what she calls “good” stress has the opposite effect by releasing dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which lowers our cortisol level.

So, how do we add more good stress into our lives and get those benefits? Bergquist recommends:

• Find the “Goldilocks zone” - The key is finding the sweet spot that’s not too much or too little stress and you have to push yourself a little to find it. “Challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed,” the expert advises.
• Don’t just positively reframe the stress in your life - Take action with meaningful and purpose-driven challenges, like taking on a new job opportunity or learning a new skill.
• Be strategic about recovery - “To grow from stress, you have to make time for rest and recovery,” Bergquist explains. You need that for your body and brain to reset and build new connections to better handle future challenges.
• Lean into the body-mind connection - Physically stressing yourself can help build mental resilience and vice versa, according to this stress researcher. She explains, “When you experience good physical or psychological stress, you repair and regenerate your cells, which makes every part of your body healthier and stronger.”
• Trust that you were made for some stress - Humans were built to overcome stress and get stronger because of it. It’s okay to be scared and want to avoid challenges, but Bergquist says, “Trust and do it anyway. The result can be life-changing.”

Source: CNN