How to make stress your friend | Kelly McGonigal | TED

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

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[Yarinever]

"Go after what it is that creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows." That's an amazing sentence.

[KingJami]

"Chasing meaning is better than avoiding discomfort." Most definitely

[petergoligher]

I can’t believe this video has been available for 10 years and I’m only seeing it now. Thankfully Steven Bartlett referenced this exact TED Talk in his new book.

My favourite part was actually Kelly’s response on avoiding or embracing stressful situations:

“Go after what it is that creates meaning in your life, and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows.”

[TheMGSupreme]

“Caring creates resilience" is gotta be one of the most thought-provoking and powerful sentence I'v heard in my life. Great vid.

[TranquilSpaz]

"Chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort."

[Kickzi]

That Lady is sharp. It feels like she's on top of her topic all the time. Also liked her fluent presentation skills

[arunitsingh]

"Chasing meaning is better for your health than avoid discomfort...so the best way to make decision is to go after what creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows" ❤

[yossipariente]

Around seven years after seeing this, I'm here retrospectively to say a huge thank you, this has SAVED my life! Starting from a ridiculous, stress-induced medical file, I've since been involved in far more stressful projects and situations, but with zero adverse health effects. Stress doesn't kill but fear of stress might...

[BrittleHeaded]

"This is my body helping me rise to this challenge." Nailed it.

[CullenBoyer]

Now I'm stressed about figuring out how to greet my stress with joy and courage.

[Diesel_Budgie]

So as long as I don't stress about the stress I'm fine

[farooqahmad]

I am just wowed right now
The way she explained with the help of researches and makes you believe that yes it isn't that bad to be stressful, I just love it ❤

[ashleyhall]

I wish TED would list the studies mentioned, so we could review the methodology.

It would just be a good practice to elevate all of us.

[marnikinrys]

Not only do I love this - but I adopted this advice in my OWN life. Great advice.

[lesleyboulant]

This is so profound. I have sent this individually to everyone of my friend group and my family. Basically, “together, we can do this!”

[Encaris]

I have been in a content state of debilitation anxiety for almost 2 months. This video has been a huge help. Thank you so much.

[Ok-czxf]

"182, 000 people died"
*Laughter*

[erikas.puckett]

I've actually found, as someone who has suffered with chronic anxiety, that when I purposefully tried to view my bodies anxious response/symptoms just as excitement or something else POSITIVE, it has helped! Super important topic!!!

[neelshah]

'You can trust yourself to handle life's challenges and you're remembering that you don't have to face them alone'. Such a powerful statement! I wish someone had told this to my younger self.

[hannanatalisa]

The last minute is gold ❤️. Now I understand why even in a stressful condition I'm still calm and happy inside. I have a meaningful life, in a place where my calling is ❤️