Reframing Stress as a Helpful Asset

While stress is often seen as something negative, Professor Medupé Akinola challenges this notion and suggests that stress can actually be reframed as something that enhances our performance, growth, and learning. By adopting a stress-enhancing mindset, individuals can experience better outcomes in various tasks. Studies have shown that watching videos that highlight the positive aspects of stress can increase creativity and attention to positive stimuli. In negotiations, women who were informed that stress could be beneficial outperformed those who were not. The stress response, characterized by increased heart rate and hormonal changes, is a physiological adaptation designed to help individuals remain focused and prepared to tackle challenges. Cultivating a stress-enhancing mindset can lead to a more positive perspective on stress and ultimately harness its potential for personal growth and achievement.