Yahoo Lifestyle 5 Positive Stress Tips
We love throwing parties, puzzling over crosswords and having sex, but did you know that these activities trigger the same physiological response in our bodies as battling a deadline or hearing bad news? Yep, both good and bad experiences cause stress, with one major difference: positive stress is good for us! Tap into it:
Nail that exam
Sometimes we need a little extra push to pass a test or finish an important project. Research shows that in the short term, stress hormones can speed us up, heighten our awareness and even boost our memory, as long as the situations that trigger them remain brief, purposeful and not too intense.
Tip: Prepare as much as possible before the big event; research shows that once your stress levels reach a certain threshold, they interfere with your ability to do more complex thinking and hurt your performance.
Create a masterpiece
Activities that demand concentration and creativity require an optimal level of stress. You don’t want too much stress, sure, but you don’t want too little, either. To get the right balance, seek out projects that make you feel excited but still in control, says Prevention adviser Tim Sharp, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of The Happiness Institute in Sydney.
Tip: When you start something new, begin by jotting down options and ideas. This is an easy way to help prompt the happy sense of ‘flow’ that comes with total absorption in a project.
Take to the treadmill
Stress usually accompanies an intense interval session or a tough netball game, but in these scenarios, it’s all good. Such short bursts of stress not only push you over the finish line, but also help you relax—once you stop exercising, that is!
Tip: Pop on your runners for a quick and healthy dose of stimulation that will actually help you wind down and put other sources of stress into perspective.
Hit the ski slopes
Want to feel positive stress at its best? Take up an adventurous new pursuit, such as salsa dancing, skydiving or skiing. Sure, all that excitement can be taxing, but the sense that you have a choice is a key factor in whether you see your stress as positive or negative, explains John Medina, author of Brain Rules ($24.95; Scribe).
Tip: Set yourself ‘stretch goals’ by learning new things and trying new experiences. These are powerful ways to boost your happiness and wellbeing, says Sharp.
Enjoy the ride
Almost everyone feels vulnerable when they leave their comfort zone, says Dr Russ Harris, author of The Confidence Gap: From Fear to Freedom ($29.95; Penguin). Most genuine challenges, like asking someone out on a date or going for a big promotion, are uncomfortable, he says, but they also bring purpose to life—and growth.
Tip: Stress is subjective. Reinterpreting a moment of distress as a moment of excitement is a liberating mental twist, says Prevention adviser Nicola Gates, clinical neuropsychologist and brain-health expert.
