The group that learned to rethink the role of stress in their lives did far better on the test. The bottom line of the lesson was this: In a tough situation, stress make you stronger.
They were told how the body’s stress response evolved to help us succeed, and that the increased arousal symptoms of stress can aid your performance during times of stress. They got a primer about the physical stress response and were told how a higher heart rate, faster breathing and internal jitters were all tools for making you strong during a stressful event.
But a third group was given advice similar to the quiz above. (Researchers have consistently found that this formula of public speaking plus testing in front of a hostile crowd is incredibly uncomfortable and stress-inducing for the poor people who agree to take part in the study.)īefore the social stress test, one group was allowed to play video games another was taught to simply ignore stressful feelings if they experienced them during the test. The test involves giving a talk in front of a group of unfriendly evaluators, followed by a tricky word test. It may be hard to believe that such a small shift in thinking could make a difference, but that’s what Harvard researchers found when they paid 50 study subjects $25 each to take part in a lab experiment designed to induce stress. It’s probably clear to you that the alternative view is the better choice for thinking about stress. I’m feeling stronger and ready for the challenge ahead.
Alternative View: My heart is working harder and my body is mobilizing its energy to get ready for this challenge.Ģ.Common View: Stress is increasing my risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack.When I’m stressed, my body releases adrenaline and cortisol. Read the statement, and then think about your own reaction to the biological changes that occur during times of stress.1. Here’s a quick way to think about these two very different views of stress. You can view stress as something that is wreaking havoc on your body (and it can) or as something that is giving you the strength and energy to overcome adversity. With stress, the mind and the body are intrinsically linked.
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