How to Turn Stress into an Advantage

Conventional wisdom says stress is detrimental to health, yet many studies refute this claim. One analysis found a positive correlation between citizens’ stress levels and nations’ measures of well-being, such as GDP, life expectancy and happiness. Another study discovered the “stress paradox”; that is, the more stressed you feel on a given day, the more likely you are to be sad, anxious or angry, but also to experience happiness, love and laughter. In fact, stress is an indicator of purpose and engagement, as those who experience meaningful lives tend to worry more. Your perception of stress determines your reaction to it: If you see stress in a ...