Is Stress Actually A Bad Thing?: The Complex Relationship

02.12.2023 - 14:07

Greetings Onedio Family! Let's dive right into a thought-provoking discussion: Could the statement 'Stress is bad for your health' be overly simplified? If we embrace the right mindset, stress might not be a detriment but rather an energy source. Avoiding stress could mean avoiding things that matter to us. Instead of turning the experience of stress into a negative force, we have the power to transform the chemical cocktail it brings into a fantastic motivational fuel. The crucial part lies in where and how we direct this fuel. Join us as we explore the intricate relationship with stress and uncover its potential as a catalyst for positive change.

Now, let's discuss how to change your mindset:

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You can start by telling yourself and those around you that stress is not a bad thing and sometimes it is the key to motivation-filled performances.

Regarding external events, you can ask: 'What can I learn from this stressful experience? How can I solve it? Or how can I accept it?'

Science says: Those with a positive mindset about stress and those who use it as an energy source have lower cortisol levels. Welcoming stress calmly and directing it towards resolving or working on the desired subject can eliminate the harmful side of stress neurologically, allowing you to channel it for growth and development.

Now; we mentioned mindset, and we also defined it as a thought structure. How does this form, let's talk about it.

There are 4 fundamental factors that shape our mindset:

The programming that comes from our upbringing.
Our culture and media
Influential others (i.e., Friends, Teachers, Doctors, Partners, Neighbors)
Conscious Choices (We have the ability to change our mindset.)

The easiest ways to teach and learn new mindsets:

Be aware of what you have.
Is this mindset helpful or harmful? Think and decide.
Look for new mindsets that will be more beneficial for different situations.

For example, this sentence had a significant impact on me:

'I don't have to do something, but I want to do something.'

When compulsion is replaced by voluntarism, my entire perspective changed.

So, how does our mindset affect our physiology and biology?

Our thought structures and core beliefs shape how our physiology and biology respond to stress, food, drugs, and other aspects of life. These mindsets can change our expectations, explanations, and goals. Ultimately, they have the power to impact our performance and well-being. By understanding and adopting more adaptive mindsets, we can experience less suffering and perform better in every aspect of life.

Psychology professor and founder of the Stanford Mind and Body Lab, Dr. Alia Crum, conducts significant research in this field and discusses many actions we can apply to our own lives.

A notable example of her research is how our mindset about the nutritional content of foods affects our brain and body. However, she generally suggests that we should reassess our thought structures about various aspects of life and strive to adopt more beneficial core beliefs.

Developing a Stress-Enhancing Mindset for Better Health and Performance

Experiments have shown that even a few minutes of controlled studies on stress increase lead to changes in stress-related physiological symptoms. Those with this perspective reported fewer backaches, muscle tension, insomnia, and palpitations, and performed better in their tasks. The study emphasized the importance of developing a mindset that can enhance stress, which could be beneficial during the most challenging moments. Having a stress-enhancing mindset doesn't imply that the source of stress is a good thing; instead, it suggests the empowering notion that difficulties and challenges have the potential to improve the outcomes in our lives.

The Impact of a Stress-Enhancing Mindset on Motivation and Well-being

Having a stress-enhancing mindset can alter motivation towards stress. When referring to motivation: instead of succumbing to fear or trying to control it, it can involve deepening relationships, improving our lives, setting priorities, and taking more sensible steps for our future. Individuals with a stressed and low-motivation mindset tend to lean towards either extreme because they believe stress is inherently bad. Mindsets function as the default setting of the mind and are significantly influenced by our upbringing, public health messages, and media. Mindset can act as a portal between conscious and subconscious processes, and it needs to be utilized correctly.

Changing the Narrative on Healthy Foods

Healthy foods are rarely portrayed positively in the media, often described in a language that induces a sense of deprivation. Such messages create a peculiar mindset, convincing people that consuming healthy foods is a less passionate endeavor. To change the culture around healthy eating, content creators need to showcase healthy foods more attractively. Enjoying healthy foods can be equally pleasurable, and there is a need for more positive approaches and a tolerant mindset in this regard. People should pay more attention to how they talk about healthy foods.

The Power of Mindset in Improving Medical Treatment Outcomes

Changing mindset and instilling positive attitudes can enhance the experience and outcomes of medical treatments. Rather than simply tolerating side effects, reframing them as positive signals of the body strengthening can reduce anxiety and improve treatment outcomes. The power of mindsets lies in understanding and manipulating the mechanisms that lead to physiological changes. The future of medicine lies in blending mindsets and behaviors to maximize the benefits of treatments. Addressing situations causing anxiety, promoting positive attitudes, and paying attention to environmental mechanisms can alleviate stress. With the right mindset, individuals can positively influence the effectiveness of medications or healthy foods. By focusing on mindset, we can not only enhance the effectiveness of treatments but also improve overall experiences.