6 Surprising Benefits of Stress
Stress can force you to reevaluate deadlines.
While interning at an outpatient parent and child education program in a psychiatric hospital, I met women who were overwhelmed by the stress of managing their lives and caring for their children. While the program provided holistic services for the mothers, my primary assignment was to work with the children.
Although I was not privy to all their stories, I knew that some faced less severe issues than others. I also knew that, as outpatients, they were higher functioning with limited resources. The skills they learned to help them cope with stress are those that you might take for granted.
Unlike chronic stress, when you experience acute stress (less than 6 months), you have an opportunity to use it to your advantage and make it beneficial for you. Here’s how some limited instances of short-term stress can be useful.
Consider these benefits of Short-Term Stress
1. Stress can help the brain.
A study, titled "Acute stress enhances adult rat hippocampal neurogenesis and activation of newborn neurons via secreted astrocytic FGF2," found that stress had an interesting impact on the brains of rats.
* Researchers found that stress can make neural connections stronger and help memory. This applies to short-term stress and not long-term or severe stress.
* The study also found that short-term stress can help push the brain to an optimal condition. This means that the brain is forced to focus better and reach its highest potential.
* During the study, the rats' brains improved because stem cells made new nerve cells. Scientists believe the same thing is happening in human brains under stress.
2. Stress can provide motivation.
Stress can force you to reevaluate deadlines and motivate you to take action to finish things on time.
* A looming deadline can make you stressed, but it can also force you to take charge of the situation. This provides the motivation to stop procrastinating and complete what is needed.
3. Stress can fortify resilience.
It can make you more flexible and understanding.
* The idea that stress can make you stronger is true. Researchers believe that surviving short-term stress helps build emotional and mental resources.
4. Stress can improve your immune system.
A study, titled "Stress-induced redistribution of immune cells - from barracks to boulevards to battlefields: a tale of three hormones," found that stress can actually help the immune system. Short-term stress can make immune cells jump into action.
* The immune system responds to stress by going into active mode. Researchers believe this developed over time to protect humans. Evolution allowed people to stay strong and healthy under stress.
5. Stress can serve as a signal.
If you feel your body and mind are under stress, then it's time to evaluate your life. Stress can be an indication that you need to slow down or make changes. It can be a warning before serious health or life issues arise.
* If you feel you're under constant pressure, take the time to reflect on your concerns about friends, family, work, and other obligations. Your stress could be telling you that some things may need to be adjusted, so you're not overwhelmed.
6. Stress can strengthen your relationships.
Stress makes the body release oxytocin, a hormone, which can help you feel more connected to others.
* The hormone makes you feel like bonding with others and sharing your burdens. This can help you build stronger relationships with those you love. It can encourage you to share your troubles instead of letting them consume you.
There's no doubt that living under constant, extreme stress is harmful. However, short-term stress has benefits. It can advantageously affect your body and mind in a variety of ways ranging from motivation to brain activity.
