If we change the negative perception of stress, we have the potential to transform our lives. Psychology, backed with empirical data, implores us to actualize our definition of stress by offering fresh insight. It can heighten our senses and improve our performance with a given task or assignment.īut believing “stress is bad” can be detrimental in ways that stress itself, is not. In a general sense, stress is just a conditioned response to a stressor, or a stressful event. Stress may not be “good or bad,” but the perception of stress is. The widespread idea that “stress is bad” actually influences our physiological responses. Belief plays a vital role in shaping physiological responses. The idea that “stress is bad” is problematic, if not harmful, to our health. It is time for a deeper understanding of stress. It is true: stress does push people into uneasy psychological states, but why? How do we live in the present and find inner peace when stress courses through our veins? An event like a heavy workload, a divorce, or an accident can feel too stressful to comprehend. Today, individuals often say that they are “stressed” when life feels chaotic, overwhelming, or tragic. This is because, as Le Fevre, Matheny & Kolt point out (2003), ”stress” has become a synonym for “distress,” a state of ill-being in which happiness and comfort have been surrendered. Definitely not the best stress management strategy. With this prevailing belief, many humans have become stressed about stress. The notion that stress is unhealthy and can lead to cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, and depression (Li, Cao & Li, 2016) has become part of the current global perception of stress. Much of the world views all stress as bad, rather than viewing stress in its original meaning as “the non-specific responses of the body to any demand for change” (Selye, 1965). This article hopes that by understanding stress and how we perceive it, we can change the narrative of “all stress is bad for you.” As it turns out, associating stress with negativity can intensify our experience of stress itself. Thus, the Western world acknowledged stress only recently.īecause stress impacts our minds and bodies, it is crucial to study. The golden age of the welfare state brought increased leisure time and growing criticism towards work. Until the ‘50s, stress was not an object of scientific attention. This traditional view of stress implies that if we are not stressed, we are not striving to become our best selves.
Starting at a very early age, we are taught that adult life is ‘stressful.’ In this mindset, adulthood requires responsibility and achievement, which we accomplish by challenging ourselves and feeling stressed. Stress is a concept that is entrenched in our everyday lives and personal vocabularies. The Eustress Scale: Applications in Business and the Workplace.
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