Myth #1: “Stress is all bad and it’s ruining my life.”
From an evolutionary perspective, stress is one of the primary reasons we survived to 2023 as a species. “Stress” is like an elaborate internal alarm system to help us detect potential threats and challenges so that we can problem-solve if necessary. The hormones associated with stress, such as cortisol, are also not inherently harmful and biologically equip us to be productive and goal-oriented. Stress, when managed correctly, can help us rise to life’s challenges and reap the rewards associated with feeling alive and successful.
Myth #2: “All forms of stress are bad for you and I’m probably going to have a heart attack because of it.”
There is no doubt about it – stress CAN be bad for our health, physical and emotional. However, not all “stress” is created equally. Depending on the type of stress you experience, the biological effects can range from benign (barely detectable) to severe (shortening life expectancy). For instance, there is a meaningful physiological difference when the stress that is being experienced is perceived as “in my control” versus “out of my control”. Also, chronic stress (in comparison to acute stress) is significantly more damaging to one’s health, independent of age.
Myth #3: “So the goal is to reduce stress…I have to get rid of stress.”
The emerging science on stress suggests that “stress management” needs some rebranding. Stress management was long equated with messages that people need to eliminate source of stress in their life in order to improve health outcomes and feel happier. But too many people feel stuck when they can’t necessary control what sources of stress exist (for instance, having to be a caregiver for your spouse who just got diagnosed with dementia). Instead, the goal of “stress management” is actually “stress resilience”, which is similar to the idea of equipping yourself with psychological armor to combat stress and bounce back faster physically and emotionally from the effects of stress.
Myth #4: “Just think positively and try to relax…”
Changing one’s attitude about life circumstances is a popular choice for coping and, truthfully, many mental health professionals have supported versions of “positive thinking” for decades. The “fake it until you make it” mentality sounds good in theory but neuroscience studies show that positive thinking and forced relaxation can actually do more harm than good in truly stressful circumstances. Trying to repetitively manufacture a positive outlook when you don’t authentically feel that way drains cognitive resources, which worsens attention, short-term memory, and fatigue. Alternatively, mindfulness-based counseling techniques have promising cognitive and emotional results.
The information above is just a small sampling of the research about modern-day stress and how it affects our psychological and physical health. If interested in learning more about building stress resilience or to get treatment for stress-related issues, contact our office at 732-988-3441 for a consultation with our clinical health psychologist, Dr. Lauren Gashlin.