Can Stress Be Good for You?

By Mike DuBose with Blake DuBose and Dr. Surb Guram, MD

 

Especially in today’s world, when people seem to be working harder, longer hours than ever—and experiencing correlating amounts of anxiety about their jobs and other aspects of their lives—stress is often identified as a villain that threatens our health, relationships, and happiness. Adding to the fear is the fact that no one can avoid stress completely; to a certain degree, it’s a normal part of our daily lives. Fortunately, stress isn’t always deadly or harmful, as scientific studies and research have shown.

Reasonable amounts of stress experienced over short time periods can actually make us healthier and happier, according to experts like Richard Shelton, MD, of the University of Alabama’s Department of Psychiatry, who spoke to Amanda MacMillan for an ABC News article. “We hear over and over again that stress is unhealthy. And all that talk makes us, well, stressed. But getting worked up isn’t always a bad thing…after all, the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response is meant to be protective, not harmful,” MacMillan paraphrased. Indeed, the human body’s stress response was designed to protect us from dangers, and it’s only when a person is under extreme stress for prolonged periods that the negative effects kick in.

When harnessed correctly, short-term stress can have numerous positive results:

Stress can increase brain power and memory. Moderate amounts of stress cause the brain to generate chemicals called neurotrophins, which strengthen neuron connections and create a state of focus. When the stress hormone cortisol is released during periods of medium (as opposed to high or low) stress, memory and learning are also improved, according to scientists like Staci Bilbo of Duke University. Adrenaline, another hormone triggered by stress, “increases alertness and awareness and can improve memory and cognitive functioning,” according to an Entrepreneur article by Lisa Evans.

Stress can stimulate creativity. Great artists, leaders, and writers throughout history have produced some of their best work after periods of increased stress. Just think of Michelangelo contorting himself into uncomfortable positions to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, all while dealing with personality conflicts with his patron, Pope Julius II…and the glorious masterpiece that resulted! When the brain undergoes stress, it is pushed out of its relaxed state and forced to see things differently, which can lead to creative breakthroughs. It forces you to “dig deep” inside yourself for inspiration, strength, and determination you may not have known you had!

In its early stages, stress can be good for your immune system. When the body needs short bursts of energy to cope with stress, it produces the hormone cortisol and extra interleukins (immune system-regulating chemicals). Both of these give a temporary bonus to the body’s immune system, which can help protect it from disease or injury. A 2012 Stanford University study confirmed this link by causing mild stress in test subjects, then noting the heightened levels of immune cells in blood.

Dealing with stress boosts resilience. Learning to cope with stress helps us to address future situations more calmly and rationally. According to Shelton, the stressful trainings undergone by the elite Navy SEALS forces build a sense of mental, emotional, and physical power. The SEALs are then prepared to approach actual combat with their enhanced control, and can handle very dangerous situations more efficiently and effectively. Similar results have been seen in studies of humans who were subjected to moderate, short-lived stressors in early life (for example, being temporarily separated from a parent). As adults, the subjects had decreased anxiety during stressful times and even less inflammation, which is connected to many health problems like heart disease.

Physical stress can make you feel better. Stress experienced during fitness training or workouts releases endorphins, which are known as the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. Rigorous exercise “also causes a ‘fight or flight’ physiological stress response almost identical to stressors that would be considered negative, such as a car accident, but works to enhance rather than suppress your immune system,” according to Bilbo. In addition to the physical results, pushing oneself to accomplish new feats boosts self-confidence as you overcome increasingly difficult physical challenges.

Stress forces us to solve problems. Small amounts of worry help us concentrate on finding solutions to issues. It’s natural for us to want to remove the stress, so we take action to develop a plan that will lead to relief. In addition to drawing on our experiences and values, our subconscious will also sometimes step up to help solve the problem.

Stress can help us protect our families. When parents and grandparents experience elevated stress levels, they are more alert and can act quickly and definitively to care for their children and grandchildren. In extreme circumstances like a child being pinned under a very heavy object, adults have also shown what appears to be superhuman strength to help the child escape to safety. According to Psychology Today, these abilities stem from a flood of chemicals (such as adrenaline, endocannabinoids, and opioids) that the brain releases when under “acute stress” whose “painkilling effects override the aching feeling we normally get when we try to lift heavy weights.”

Moderate levels of workplace stress increase productivity. A little sense of urgency helps keep people focused on getting things done. (Scientists call this positive type of stress “eustress.”) According to Shelton, “The key is viewing stressful situations as a challenge that you can meet, rather than an overwhelming, impassable roadblock.” Successful employees and leaders turn stress into positive, motivational energy instead of allowing the stressful situations to consume their thoughts in negative and unproductive ways. In fact, MacMillan notes that reasonable stress “can also help you enter a state of ‘flow,’ a heightened sense of awareness and complete absorption into an activity.” That helps explain why some people do their best work under tight deadlines!

Stress can make your life exciting. We sometimes take on projects that stress us out, but the end result is very worthwhile. For example, every year, I work with others to coordinate a classic car and arts show at my church that draws more than 1,000 attendees. It’s labor-intensive and moderately stressful every step of the way, but is also a welcome challenge that provides me with great satisfaction in the end. Stress also enters the picture when we try to learn something new, conquer fears, or begin a new relationship—but that bit of anxiety in the beginning allows us to reap rewards in the end!

The bottom line: Much research has been done on the negative effects of stress, and it’s true—long-term, sustained stress poses many documented health dangers. However, manageable levels of stress experienced over a short timespan can not only prove harmless to us, but maybe actually help us by providing us with physical, mental, and emotional benefits. As with many other aspects of life, it’s about finding the right balance for you!

 

Please visit www.mikedubose.com/stress for a detailed version of this article.

About the Authors: Our corporate and personal purpose is to “create opportunities to improve lives” by sharing our knowledge, experience, success, research, and mistakes.

Mike DuBose is a former licensed counselor, has been in business since 1981, authored The Art of Building a Great Business, and is a field instructor with USC’s graduate school. He is the owner of four debt-free corporations, including Columbia Conference Center, Research Associates, and The Evaluation Group. Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com for a free copy of his book The Art of Building a Great Business and other useful business, travel, health, and personal articles.

Dr. Surb Guram, MD is a board-certified internist and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He is a partner with the SC Internal Medicine Associates in Irmo, SC and has practiced internal medicine in the Midlands for the past 30 years. See www.scinternalmedicine.com for more information on Dr. Guram and his practice.

Blake DuBose graduated from Newberry College Schools of Business and Psychology and is president of DuBose Web Group. View our published articles at www.duboseweb.com.

Katie Beck serves as Director of Communications for the DuBose family of companies. She graduated from the USC School of Journalism and Honors College.

 

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