What’s the upside of stress? 5 sources of potential

A summary of the positive and constructive aspects of stress.

Stress is often a concept that we associate with the negative, with an uncomfortable experience that we would like to leave behind as soon as possible to return to a state of calm. However, this is an overly simplistic view of the issue.

If stress exists, it exists for a reason. It is the product of millions of years of evolution, during which a phenomenon as important as our nervous system activation mechanisms could not have remained untouched by natural selection. In fact, stress exists in a large number of animals, which indicates its importance for survival.

But... what exactly is the good part of stress? We will see it in the course of this article.

The positive aspects of stress: channeling energy to achieve goals

Stress is based on a series of biopsychological mechanisms that predispose us to be more activated in certain circumstances, more ready to react as soon as possible to whatever is happening around us..

This leads to a feeling of being "in tension", because when we are stressed, we feel as if we cannot rest with a clear conscience until we have attended to a need or achieved a goal, which leads many people to assume that stress is a "stressful" situation. This leads many people to assume that stress is a bad thing..

But although on some specific occasions stress can become excessive, or predispose us to develop unhealthy habits (binge eating, smoking, etc.), in most cases, it has a potential that we must know how to take advantage of. And if we manage this impulse of emotions and feelings in the right way, we will be contributing to bring us closer to our goals.

And this is precisely the positive potential of stress; its different ways of aligning us with a series of objectives that come to occupy an important space in our consciousness, which is an opportunity to be consistent with that and prioritize them not only in our thinking, but also in our actions. Therefore, the good part of stress can be divided into the following benefits.

1. It is a source of motivation

Stress is a constant reminder that there are a number of tasks to be accomplished; for that reason alone, it already protects us from the "forgetfulness" factor. For better or worse, stress forces us to position ourselves for the prospect of performing an action that is important to us. greatly increases the likelihood that we will end up doing it..

2. It opens our minds to new possibilities

Stress makes us think from a different perspective than we do in normal situations; it makes us more likely to try new things if it serves as an answer to our need to do a certain action. Thus, it helps us to make "accidental" discoveries, helps us to make "accidental" discoveries that we would not have been exposed to in normal situations..

3. If well managed, it allows us to structure our tasks

Sequencing our actions through a pattern of tasks in which one responsibility follows the next is one of the most effective methods for managing stress, and this is something that not only serves to relieve that "tension", but also helps us to move forward efficiently and productively.

While it is true that stress can also lead us to not want to start that chain of tasks, those who have tried it know that it is a way to relieve discomfort that works, and once we have become familiar with that strategy, we are much more likely to resort to it when stress acts as a trigger again. once we have become familiar with this strategy, we are much more likely to resort to it when stress acts as a trigger again..

• You may be interested in, "Why is it important to know how to manage stress at work?"

4. It helps us to detect opportunities

Stress is not only used to quickly detect danger signals; it also allows us to identify opportunities, occasions that we would hate to miss because they can help us to improve. Those who channel their stress well, manage this to act as a funnel of good fortuneThey do not miss a chance to position themselves in a favorable position for life's turns of fortune.

5. It leads us to take control

When we feel stress, our desire to take charge of the responsibilities to be taken care of ourselves, rather than leaving them in the hands of others, increases. This need for control can not only lead to better results, but is also a driver for our own learning, as it exposes us to new challenges. a driver for our own learning, since it exposes us to new challenges..

Do you want to learn how to channel stress productively?

As we have seen, stress can be a source of motivation that leads us to get out of our comfort zone and engage in tasks in a more productive way. In fact, sometimes these tasks involve activities that we wouldn't normally do, so we tap into our creative potential.

However, in order to take advantage of these latent abilities in oneself, it is necessary to get used to adopting a constructive mentality when dealing with stress, and this is something that cannot be achieved simply by reading; it is necessary to change habits and apply emotional management strategies to our daily lives.

If you are interested in developing this ability, you will probably also be interested in the following training program Stress management: channeling and projecting energy, online course developed by Escuela Europea de Coaching.. It is a program aimed at people with or without previous training in this area and interested in improving their ability to use the productive potential of stress: it consists of a total of 12 hours of duration spread over 4 sessions, which take place in a synchronous classroom (i.e. live and direct).

In the course Stress management: channeling and projecting energy, online course developed by Escuela Europea de Coaching, taught by psychologist and coach Patxi Rocha del Cura, contents such as time management techniques, resources to correctly identify stress and its triggers, the development of skills to channel it, face-to-face conversational skills, and more, are covered.

To see more information about Escuela Europea de Coaching and the face-to-face or online courses it offers, access this page.

Bibliographical references:

• Achor, S.; Crum, A. J.; Salovey, P. (2013). Rethinking Stress: The Role of Mindsets all wrong in Determining the Stress Response. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 104(4): pp. 716 - 733.
• Ambriz, M.G.J.; Izal, M.; Montorio, I. (2011). Psychological and Social Factors that Promote Positive Adaptation to Stress and Adversity in the Adult Life Cycle. Journal of Happiness Studies. 13 (5): 833–848.
• Hargrove, M.B.; Nelson, D.L.; Cooper, C.L. (2013). Generating eustress by challenging employees: Helping people savor their work. Organizational Dynamics. 42: pp. 61 - 69.
• Quick, J. C.; Quick, J. D.; Nelson, D. L. & Hurrell, J. J. (1997). Preventative stress management in organizations. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.