Can Stress Actually be GOOD for You?

Stress is something we usually like to avoid.

We associate negative feelings with it. And that makes sense.

Stress typically makes us feel anxious, unsettled, and nervous. It can affect digestion, immune function, and our mental and emotional well being, among others.

So, obviously, stress is not the most popular game in town .

But imagine if stress could actually be good for you. Imagine it could also make you more resilient, strong, and better suited for life’s challenges. Imagine if…

Medical researchers are starting to see it too.

A study comparing data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey, and mortality rates following up to the year 2006, revealed some pretty shocking findings.

Of 186 million Americans, over one third (33.7%) thought of stress as something affecting their health to at least some extent.

However, the most worrying results involve those who reported both high levels of daily stress, and perceived stress as affecting their health.

What they found is…

“The amount of stress and the perception that stress affects health interacted such that those who reported a lot of stress and that stress impacted their health a lot had a 43% increased risk of premature death (HR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.20, 1.71]).”(1)

Give Stress A Second Chance

There’s something important that can be taken away from this study, and others like it with similar findings.

One key variable resulting in the negative symptoms of stress is the way it was perceived.

Only those that reported both a high level of stress AND thought it was affecting their health were at a much higher risk.

You can change the way stress affects you.

The best part?

All you need to do is alter your perception about how it’s affecting your health.

We’ve all been told that stress is a natural thing, that it helps us be alert and focused in dangerous situations.

However, there’s so much more that isn’t usually mentioned when discussing stress.

5 Reasons To Want MORE Stress

  1. Sure everyone talks about fight or flight, but what does that mean? As part of this process, heart rate increases to send oxygen effectively to the brain – fuel for the brilliance that’s about to follow. Now you are perfectly positioned to deal with the challenge coming your way.
  2. It helps you reach out, and find support. During times of physical or psychological stress, oxytocin (also known as the bonding hormone or the cuddle hormone) is released by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin works on the social centres of the brain. This is your brain’s way of encouraging you to talk to someone about whatever it is you’re going through.
  3. Oxytocin is also a natural anti-inflammatory that protects the cardiovascular system from the effects of stress. During times of stress, it helps blood vessels stay relaxed and it helps heart cells heal from any damage done to them by stress.
  4. Prepares the body for environmental assaults. During stress, the body’s defenders – the immune cells – enter the blood stream. As the stressor progresses, the cells leave the blood and enter the parts of the body that are about to go to battle, such as the skin.
  5. Love is it’s natural remedy! When you reach out to others, your body will release even more of this wonder-hormone to help you recover faster and more fully from stress. We are wired to seek out human connection and this is why. Our challenge is to listen to that, so nature can work its magic.

Don’t Fight Stress, Adapt To It

While a lifetime of being told how bad stress is for you, and your health, I understand it may be difficult to alter one’s perception.

However, here’s a few small tips on how to start adapting your perception of stress in daily life:

First, think of stress as a challenge. When you frame something as a challenge for yourself, you automatically rewire your brain to look for solutions instead of only focusing on the threats.

Second, realize your body wants to help you. Stress is not the enemy. Instead, think of it as your body energizing you so you can perform at maximum efficiency. Sure your heart may be beating alarmingly fast… but that’s to get ample fresh oxygenated blood straight to the brain.

Lastly, utilize the power of natural adaptogens. Adaptogenic herbs are said to help bring the body back to balance through homeostasis and hormone regulation. When confronted with a stressor, these herbs help you to adapt and change to meet the needs when demand is high.

In terms of your Three treasures, prolonged periods of stress can put simultaneous leaks in each Jing, Qi, and Shen.

Through learning to adapt to stress, you can put a damper on the unhealthy imbalances depleting these energies.

If you’ve been feeling like stress is becoming more pronounced in your life, we would love to help you fortify yourself against the effects of stress.

Our Great Adaptor formula consists of seven potent adaptogenic herbs, including superstars Rhodiola, Eleuthero, Reishi, and Gynostemma, which help reset the body’s endocrine system and bring your body and stress hormones back into balance.

Learn more about this formula by visiting our store!

Be well,

Dr. George