According to an article in Woman’s Day, health experts are saying that stress can actually help you in many ways, from boosting your immune system to helping you get fit. Check it out….
It can help you be more creative. Pennsylvania-based psychologist and author of “The Confident Leader: How the Most Successful People Go from Effective to Exceptional”, Larina Kase, PhD, says that stress often precedes or accompanies creative breakthroughs. She says that if our minds are totally calm and relaxed, they don’t need a reason to see things differently, and we are likely to feel an increase in stress when we hit on a new path because change is typically associated with new stress.
It may be good for your immune system. Research shows that the immune system may benefit from short bursts of stress that elicit our “fight or flight mechanism”. Clinical psychiatrist and author of “Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior”, Mark Goulston, MD, explains that when cortisol (stress hormone) is released, it increases immunity in the body, but it is a delicate balance. Dr. Goulston warns that too much stress can lead to cortisol overload, which can contribute to abdominal obesity.
It may help you get fit. Weightlifting, running, or spending 45 sweaty minutes on the exercise bike are all forms of good stress on your body. Jessica Matthews, MS, continuing education coordinator of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that the stress that moderate exercise provides is quite healthy and provides many positive effects. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce the level of stress hormones in the body (cortisol) while increasing the level of endorphins in the body, resulting in that “feel good” sensation. Research has shown that exercise itself may make us more resilient to stress overall. Yep, I could definitely use a lot of exercise, not only for stress, but also to get rid of my fat ass!!
To see all of the benefits stress has on your body, see the article in Woman’s Day or on Yahoo! Health.
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