We can use stress to our advantage.
Life up North can be stressful to anyone at times. It’s good to be aware of both the positive and negative impacts of stress, as while it’s very uncomfortable it can be positive in other respects.
What are some negatives? Stress lowers the body’s defenses, affects decision-making abilities and is also linked with depression and anxiety. When we’re placed under pressure and need to focus, this is often when stress arises. It is more harmful in these situations than it is helpful.
Long-lasting stress can also lead to or worsen serious health problems. It’s good to remember that not only is stress a normal reaction to challenges, changes, threats or chances, but that there are many ways to prevent it from affecting life.
That said, every emotion exists for a reason and we adapted to feel stress through natural process. So it must offer some kind of positive, right? In fact, sometimes focusing on the positive aspects of stress can be enough to help us turn it around and to make the most of it.
Stress can be a great motivating force at times. Remember studying for exams? Some students are naturally able to study and prepare early, others wait until the last minute. Some may even skip studying and hope for the best.
Naturally those who studied harder and longer were likely to perform better, and it’s this group of people who were more positively affected by stress. It can trigger problem-solving skills. The trick is to be able to control, monitor and control stress so that you feel only positive amounts and are able to benefit rather than suffer.
Stress also increases physical performance and endurance, causing the release of adrenaline, which speeds up heart rate, metabolism and helps fight feeling tired. This can result in increased reactions and reflexes, while also increasing courage. A bit of stress for an athlete then is a great thing!
The difference is that “good” stress is not something that exists over a long period. The trick is to control that nervous energy and redirect it into something more positive and effective.
One way to do this is to try and “pump” yourself up in order to make sure that when you have a “fight or flight” response, you are more likely to fight it than flee it.
Try listening to upbeat music, use positive statements or try to increase exercise. Rather than covering up stress, you can instead take it in and use it to inspire you to success.
There are times where stress can become unhealthy. When it lasts for a long time, it can take a toll on your body. In these times stress management is important.
Be aware of available resources, talk to your family doctor or consult your community mental health worker for support.
For more information, please contact your regional Mental Health Promotion Facilitator: in Flin Flon, Curtis Trubiak at 204-687-1350, in The Pas, Shellie Verville at 204-623-9638, and in Thompson, Jennifer Whalen at 204-778-6513.
