Can Stress Be Good For Us At Work?
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| Can stress be good for you at work? |
Most of us who have been under pressure and often overwhelmed or drained by our workload would have difficulty in believing stress can be good for us. Well, there is a lot of documented evidence suggesting that some stress can even be healthy.
The key is what happens in the brain when we are stressed. Researchers at Berkeley University (Kaufer and Kirby) have discovered that moderately stressful events can actually be good for us. Short spurts of stress can have a positive effect on the body and mind in two major ways.
Keeps the brain sharp
Exposure to moderate stress challenges the brain to seek ways to adapt to the stressful event. The brain responds by producing and growing more brain cells. The result is the brain is more alert, and of course we perform and function much better when we are alert.
Boosts the Immune System
Stress triggers the primitive ‘flight or fight’ response in the brain, which in turn produces physiological changes in the body. One of those changes is infection fighting white cells are released into the bloodstream. It is now believed that moderate, short term stress boosts the immune system and can help protect the body from disease.
Be Constantly Aware of Your Stress Levels
Long-term stress and chronic stress is extremely detrimental to your health and can lead to major health issues because the body is not designed to carry high levels of stress for any length of time
On a scale of 1 – 10, 1 being low stress and 10 being high, where would you rate yourself on the stress scale?
1 – 4 Fairly relaxed state.
4 – 7 Optimal for maximum performance. Staying in this state for more than 4 to 8 hours will cause chronic fatigue and affect physical and mental health.
7 – 10 High stress. Serious impact on physical and mental health. Get help to reduce stress levels immediately.
