Lean Quote: Make Stress Your Friend

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"The best way to make decisions, is go after what it is that creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows."   —  Kelly McGonigal

Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University, shares inspiring new research showing that stress may only negatively affect your health if you believe it will. Her 2013 TED talk, How to Make Stress Your Friend, is one of the 20 most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views. She shares strategies for stress reduction by reframing how you view stress and making stress your friend. You can reframe by turning it from a negative into a positive and using it to build resilience and connection to others.

To make stress your friend, according to Kelly McGonigal, you should view stress as a positive force that can help you handle challenges and connect with others. Focusing on the belief that stress is harmful can negatively impact your health. Instead, embrace stress as a signal that your body is preparing you to meet a challenge and that it can enhance your social connections. 

Here's key things people can do to make stress their friend:

1. Reframe Your View of Stress:

Instead of seeing stress as a negative, recognize that it's a natural human experience that can be a catalyst for growth and resilience. 

2. Understand the Benefits of Stress Hormones:

McGonigal highlights that stress hormones like oxytocin, which are often associated with the negative effects of stress, also promote social connection, empathy, and a desire to support others. 

3. Embrace Social Connection:

Stress can motivate you to reach out to others, seek support, and strengthen your relationships. 

4. Focus on Meaning:

Chasing meaning in life, even if it involves stress, is more beneficial for your health than avoiding discomfort, according to McGonigal. 

5. Trust Yourself:

Believe that you have the capacity to handle the stress you encounter, and don't be afraid to pursue activities that are meaningful to you, even if they involve challenges. 

By changing your mindset about stress and understanding its potential benefits, you can harness its power to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and live a more meaningful life, says McGonigal.