Good Things About Stress

By admin2 on 28th May, 2009

Yes, there good things about stress. Technically speaking, stress is defined, not by the cause of the distress, but by the way which we react to it. It may simply mean being subjected to external forces or pressures, that is either positive or negative depending on the effect of the external force.

Most of us denote the word “stress” only to its negative aspect. It is used to indicate an emotional state of being which is so intense that it hinders our ability to function. We’ve forgotten that stress has its positive side too. Yes, there are positive aspects which are often overlooked. Saying goes, “Too much of something is bad but absence of such means death.” It doesn’t just apply to vitamins and other things needed for us to be considered a healthy individual, it also applies to stress as well. Yes! We need stress. A certain levels of stress are necessary to keep us together. Certain degree of stress is essential for maintaining normal biological functions. If correctly handled, stress can be used as a positive force. It serves as stimulus for us to attain goals, solve difficult problems, enhance performance under pressure and helping us rise to the occasion. It can fuel creativity, create excitement, or energize us for an important event or project. Stress lends excitement and vigor to many aspects of life.

Stress factors come from the physical, mental, social and the spiritual areas of our lives. Physiologist Hans Selye, whose work helped shape modern stress theory, advanced the idea that physical and psychosocial stressors trigger the same physiological response. Selye explored the line between short-term stress that stimulates people to summon the resources to hurdle obstacles (so-called “good” stress) and chronic or overabundant stress, which wears down the ability to adapt and cope (”bad” stress or distress).

Two Harvard researchers, Robert M. Yerkes and John D. Dodson, also demonstrated that a jolt of stress is not necessarily bad. The two researchers noted that as stress or anxiety levels rose, so did performance and efficiency — up to a point. At this turning point (point of balance), more stress and anxiety led to significant decreases in performance and ability. The point here is we just need to find the ‘point of balance’ between absence and too much of stress for it to be beneficial. Where that line is drawn or, where that turning point falls differ from person to person.

There comes a time that the burden of our problems and internal conflicts is too great that any problem, no matter how small, push us into anxiety and depression from which is difficult to escape. Here are some of my favorite Bible quotes that may help you coup if time comes that you face greater level of stress:

”Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” - Psalms 55:22 (NIV)

”Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)

Feeling inable to face the mountain of stress opens the person to depression. Thus it is important to deal with stress before it reaches these extremes. Be optimistic, if something turned sour, think about it and accept the results. Always remember that positive thoughts are not destructive to mind and body while negative thoughts promote illness. As what King Solomon says in the book of Proverbs 17:22 (NIV), “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Healthy and spontaneous laughter is incompatible with depression so take time to find places and people who can help you to be in good mood. It is important that we should learn to face the unavoidable in a positive and intelligent way.

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Filed under relation of stress to health

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