Feeling stressed? The answer isn’t to “just relax” | Aditi Nerurkar
Apr 28, 2025
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Join Aditi Nerurkar, a physician and author who specializes in stress management and resilience, as she explores the transformative power of stress. Discover how to identify helpful versus harmful stress, the significance of social connections, and innovative strategies for thriving under pressure. Aditi shares practical tips like the 'Stop, Breathe, Be' technique, encourages setting healthy digital boundaries, and emphasizes cultivating supportive environments for improved mental health, making stress a catalyst for growth rather than burnout.
Understanding the difference between maladaptive and adaptive stress is crucial for managing one's health and promoting personal growth.
Reframing resilience to prioritize boundaries and self-care helps prevent burnout and encourages a balanced approach to productivity.
Engaging in casual social interactions, or 'weak ties,' significantly enhances feelings of belonging and strengthens resilience against stress.
Deep dives
The Dangers of Maladaptive Stress
Maladaptive stress is characterized by its dysfunctional and unproductive nature, leading to various mental and physical health issues. It manifests in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and physical discomfort like headaches and muscle pain. This type of stress disrupts daily functioning and can increase healthcare visits significantly, with studies indicating that 60 to 80% of primary care visits involve a stress-related component. It highlights the necessity of understanding the detrimental effects of unchecked stress and the importance of seeking help when experiencing these symptoms.
Understanding Healthy Stress
In contrast to maladaptive stress, healthy stress, known as adaptive stress, serves a productive and motivating role in our lives. It is associated with positive experiences such as promotions, relationships, and exciting changes, and is essential for personal growth. The goal is not to eliminate stress entirely, as this is biologically impossible, but to manage and cultivate healthy stress that propels one forward. Acknowledging the existence of both healthy and harmful stress allows for a more balanced approach to stress management.
The Importance of Resilience
Resilience is defined as the innate biological ability to adapt and recover from challenges, but the concept has shifted toward a more toxic interpretation that ignores the human limitations on rest and recovery. Misunderstanding resilience can lead to burnout, as many people falsely believe that resilience alone can prevent stress and exhaustion. By reframing resilience to recognize the importance of boundaries and self-care, individuals can better protect themselves against the risks of burnout. True resilience should celebrate the ability to say no and prioritize mental health over constant productivity.
Building Community and Connection
Human connection plays a vital role in managing stress, as loneliness can have severe health implications, equated to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of risk. People are encouraged to engage in 'weak ties,' or brief, casual interactions with acquaintances, which can enhance feelings of belonging without the demands of deep relationships. These small interactions can provide significant psychological benefits and foster a sense of community, especially during times of heightened stress. Creating supportive environments at work and in personal life is essential for building resilience among individuals.
Implementing Healthy Digital Boundaries
Setting boundaries with technology is crucial in reducing stress, as the brain does not differentiate between distant threats and immediate ones, leading to a continuous state of alarm. Strategies such as grayscaling phones or limiting their presence in bedrooms can help minimize digital distractions and reinforce healthy habits. Creating geographical boundaries with devices reduces reliance on technology, which is critical in maintaining mental health. By adopting these strategies, individuals can cultivate a healthier relationship with technology that supports their overall well-being.
Stress isn’t all bad. In fact, the right kind can fuel growth instead of burnout. In this actionable discussion, physician and author Aditi Nerurkar shares tips for managing your stress, boosting your confidence and increasing your resilience. Discover how to spot your stress signals before they spiral — and turn pressure into progress. (This live conversation was hosted by TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers and was part of a TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to support TED today and join more exclusive events like this one.)
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