We frequently hear about the damage stress can do to the body. It can raise blood pressure, lead to weight gain, and induce sleep deprivation. But despite the negative bodily impacts, many of us — naturally, not voluntarily – live, breathe, and consume stress. Stress might occasionally feel like a looming, dark cloud. But is it all grey when it comes to stress? Or are we not aware of the benefits stress offers?
Ways Stress Can Be Positive
Stress still kills. Too much of it can lead to various health complications. However, stress is not always the ‘bad guy’, if you think about it. There are benefits of stress that we might not notice.
1. Enhances Child Development
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A 2006 Johns Hopkins study monitored 137 mothers from the middle of their pregnancies until their kids turned two. The results of the study showed that, at the age of 2, children born to mothers who reported mild to moderate prenatal stress had more advanced early developmental skills than children born to moms who reported no prenatal stress.
Of course, this study does not encourage pregnant mothers to constantly be under a state of stress. But don’t become anxious if you experience occasional daily stressors. It might actually promote the growth of your child.
2. Helps You Stay Healthy
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The fight-or-flight reaction you experience under stress is intended to keep you safe, whether from harm or another imagined threat. Low levels of stress hormones are fascinating since they can assist the body in fighting illnesses. Contrary to its evil twin, chronic stress, which reduces immunity and increases inflammation. Moderate stress, on the other hand, boosts interleukin production and gives the immune system a fast boost to fight off infections.
3. Improves Cognitive Function
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Your uneasiness and strain during stressful situations may actually improve your brain’s function. This is due to the fact that mild stress makes your brain’s connections between neurons stronger, enhancing your memory and attention span and boosting your productivity. It is likely due to better brain function that many people perform better under stress.
For example, when you receive last-minute assignments, you will feel the adrenaline rush due to wanting to complete them in time. Your brain will actively work and all your ability to concentrate will be solely focused on that assignment. In other words, while completing the assignment, you will put your all into it and be able to get the work done successfully.
4. Makes You Tougher
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There is no denying that no matter how much hatred we all have towards stress, we still manage to work through it. Stress builds resilience. When something happens for the first time, you can think it’s the worst-case scenario and lose your sense of calm. However, as you cope with numerous challenges and conquer various obstacles, you are actually preparing yourself to handle similar situations in the future without you noticing. If you are a cookie, you won’t easily crumble under a slight pressure.
Up to this point, you might have wanted to bury all of your worry and dump it into a burning hole. Now that you are aware of the unexpected benefits of stress, keep in mind that it can actually be a friend. Stress can be a good thing for you as long as it is not ongoing.
If you are looking for ways to cope with stress, try the Batman Effect method!
