“Stress Kills” and “ Kill Stress Before it Kills You!”.... Scary right? Chances are you’ve heard all about how bad stress is for your health and well-being. You may hear about the many ways stress increases cortisol levels which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, insomnia…you name it. There has been so much hype surrounding stress in recent years that some people, including college students, find themselves stressed about being stressed! What if I told you that stress can actually be a good thing? Let me break it down.
What is “Stress”?
Stress is what we experience when we have a person-environment interaction and we evaluate the situation as exceeding our resources for coping. In other words, stress is our response to situations which we believe we can’t overcome. Stressors are the interactions that lead to stress. For example, common stressors among college students can be categorized as academic, personal, financial, or interpersonal.
Half-Truths
There is a stress response that occurs in our body which leads to an increase in the “stress hormone”, cortisol. Although the negative effects of cortisol are widely discussed, studies have shown that this is only half the story. Cortisol has the ability to mobilize our body to react to stressors by increasing blood sugar levels. Stressors can trigger the release of other hormones, including DHEA and oxytocin. DHEA has anti-inflammatory and memory-enhancing effects which help balance the negative impact of cortisol released during chronic stress. Oxytocin is another hormone released during the stress response which decreases blood pressure and encourages prosocial behaviors. This means that your stress response encourages you to engage socially and connect with other people!
What’s the Big Deal?
You have more control over stress than you might think. It all starts with your mindset. Download and take this quiz from Stanford University to find out how you view stress. Do you view stress as debilitating? Or do you view it as a challenge, an opportunity to grow? The stress response starts with your primary appraisal, a.k.a. how you categorize the stressor you are faced with. Many people find all sorts of situations as threatening, but one can learn to accurately appraise a stressor which will dictate the nature of your stress response. When we view non-life-threatening stressors, like final exams, as a challenge we will be able to tap into our challenge-response. The challenge-response is rooted in focus rather than fear which changes the way we cope with stress AND helps secure better outcomes.
Bye-Bye Negativity, Hello New Opportunities!
When we are able to break away from the constant negative idea of stress we can start to explore the many benefits stress provides. So, what is the upside to stress?
The Stress Response
Helps you focus
Heightens your senses
Increases energy levels in the body that are available for use
Encourages you to be social (thanks to oxytocin!)
Decreases fear
Helps your brain learn and grow
Challenges us to find meaning in our lives
Allows us to view things as daily hassles rather than full-blown threats
Change won’t happen overnight, but if you’re reading this article and find yourself intrigued by the possibility of stress being a good thing, then you are making the first step toward change! I encourage you to take some time to understand what makes you stressed out and evaluate what tools you have to overcome your stressors. If you are a student at Binghamton University, you’re in luck! The Health and Wellness Studies Department offers a course called Stress Management which can help you learn more about stress and the power of mindset. Also feel free to contact the Mindset Mentors - a student group all about addressing the topics of stress and resilience among college students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember, when you change how you view stress you can take back your control and show stress who’s boss!
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty dealing with stress, contact the following campus resources. (The East Gym might be helpful, too. I think they offer massage services there)
University Counseling Center: (607)-777-2772
Decker Student Health Services Center: (607)-777-2221
Dean of Students Office: (607)-777-2804
CARE Team: (607)-777-2804
References
Crum, A. J., Salovey, P., & Achor, S. (2013). Rethinking stress: The role of mindsets in determining the stress response. Journal of personality and social psychology, 104(4), 716.
Hansen, R. S., Ph.D. . Key Study Skills Tools to Achieve Academic Success. Retrieved December 12, 2020, from http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-tools/top-college-stressors.html
Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: from neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 4(5), 35–40.
Wegmann, Jennifer (2020). Stress Management Course Material
About the Author: Christine Kurien
Hi, I’m Christine! I am a senior Integrative Neuroscience major with a minor in Health and Wellness Studies. One of my major life goals is to become a physician serving diverse patient populations with kindness and respect. I joined REACH because I believe health education can encourage people to become more involved in their healthcare by facilitating positive behavioral changes. Preventative care is the key to better health outcomes and overall well-being! My interests include Bollywood-fusion dance, community involvement, wellness, neurobiology, and spending quality time with my loved ones!
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