Name: How to make stress your friend
Uploaded: 2013-09-04T14:59:43Z
Duration: 14 min 15 s
Description: Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend

How to make stress your friend

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

Believing that stress is harmful can actually be more deadly than stress itself, with one study estimating 182,000 premature deaths in eight years linked to that belief. When people view stress as helpful, their bodies respond more healthily, keeping blood vessels relaxed and boosting resilience. The hormone oxytocin, released during stress, drives humans to seek connection and support, offering natural protection for the heart. Caring for others under pressure eliminates the negative health impacts of stress and creates lasting emotional strength.