Science seems to have found the secret to a long and happy life. Researcher Kelly McGonigal tells us, “Go after what creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows.”
In recent years, however, we have looked at stress as our enemy, seeking instead to live in complete ease.
One of the primary points of McGonigal’s research is that the impact stress has on our health has less to do with its cause and more to do with how we think about it. If we see stress as something to be avoided and believe it will hurt us, then it will have a negative impact. If we see it as an opportunity for growth, it can actually be very good for us.
An athlete playing in a championship game, for example, is in a stressful environment. If proving that one is up to the challenge is meaningful to this person, the stress simply becomes a source of joy and fulfilment.
Most would agree that teaching is a stressful profession. There are constantly changing demands. One has to adapt to new curriculum, new research, new circumstances, a new and more intricate way of reporting on student progress, not to mention the needs of each individual student. Just when you think you have things figured out, something else changes.
Yet, when I walk into a classroom I’m filled with energy. When I think about my work, I feel as though I am on a mission which is still taking shape, despite over 30 years in the field. I know that I have made a difference in the lives of my students and that my students will continue to make a difference in the world long after I am gone. We are on a constant quest for truth and we know that if we are ever going to find it, we need to listen to each other.
Of course, teachers are not the only people doing meaningful work. The same could be said for any profession or life commitment. Is there anything more demanding and more rewarding, for example, than being a parent?
The key is to go from an attitude of, “Woe is me,” to saying, “What can I learn from this and how will I respond?”
This leads to mindfulness, stepping out of the demands of life into a place where one is free to decide the best way forward.
It is also important to note that while most stress is potentially positive, there is stress that is toxic and harmful. Sometimes the best response is to consciously distance ourselves from a circumstance.
In essence, when we face stress, we have three choices. We can fight, we can flee or we can learn to manage the situation. This can be as simple as making sure we are eating well, getting enough rest or adjusting our breathing.
Of course, no one is an island. There is tremendous wisdom in asking questions and seeking support as we manage stressful situations. There is also great strength in acknowledging when we have made mistakes.
The world has been going through very difficult times in recent months. We can’t control the fact that there is a global pandemic happening. We can’t control the fact that there is a great deal of civil unrest. Each of us controls how we respond, however. If we can take a step back and breathe deeply, we can see the tremendous opportunities being presented to us in this moment.
Stress is simply a part of life, a very important part of life. It is nothing but a message that we need to face the challenges before us. The world needs our goodness, our courage and our wisdom, and sharing these gifts brings us the joy and satisfaction of a meaningful life.
