Stress Management

The ability to manage stress when you’re under pressure directly affects your overall performance in all walks of life.  In fact, several scientific studies over the years have found that successful people, in various fields of study, are highly skilled at managing their emotions in times of stress in order to remain calm and in control.

There’s actually new research out of Cal Berkeley that reveals an upside to experiencing momentary stress, and then reinforces how important it is to keep long-term stress under control.  The recent study found that the onset of stress challenges the brain into growing new cells responsible for improved memory and cognitive ability.  However, this effect is only seen when stress is temporary.  As soon as the stress continues beyond a few moments into a prolonged state, it actually interferes with the brain’s ability to function and grow new cells.  

And there’s more to the story too.  Besides decreasing your brain cells and intellectual performance, stress also increases your risk of heart disease and depression.  Fortunately, though, unless a grizzly bear is chasing you, the bulk of your stress is unnecessary and under your control.  Successful people have well-honed coping strategies that they employ in stressful situations.  This lowers their stress levels regardless of what’s happening in their environment, ensuring that the stress they experience is temporary and not prolonged.