The Current View of Stress

Stress has become one of the most cited causes of burnout, illness, and poor mental health in modern society. In public discourse, stress is treated almost exclusively as a negative force and something to be eliminated or avoided. The consequences of chronic stress are indeed serious. According to a Washington Post article referencing recent Pew data, nearly half of U.S. teenagers report that social media contributes negatively to their mental health, citing stress, poor sleep, and self-esteem issues as common symptoms (Washington Post, 2025).

Similarly, The Guardian recently described the rise in “overwhelm” as a societal issue rooted in continuous notifications, high performance demands, and lack of mental space, factors that activate persistent stress responses, often to our detriment (The Guardian, 2024).

However, this dominant narrative only tells half the story. While unmanaged or prolonged stress can be harmful, research show us that, when experienced in moderation and viewed through the right lens, stress can play a constructive, even essential, role in human development and resilience.

The Productive Side of Stress

Science challenges the idea that all stress is inherently damaging. Stress, in small and manageable doses, is a natural biological mechanism that has evolved to keep us safe, alert, and adaptable.

1. Stress Enhances Performance

Hans Selye coined the term Eustress, a positive form of stress that improves performance and motivation. Eustress can arise from taking on a new challenge, preparing for a presentation, or striving to meet a goal. It stimulates focus, energy, and drive without overwhelming the individual (Selye, 1974).

2. Stress Enhances Learning and Adaptation

A 2024 review published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) highlighted how acute stress can facilitate adaptive brain plasticity. Specifically, brief periods of stress have been shown to increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the region associated with memory and learning which supports the idea that controlled exposure to stress builds cognitive flexibility and long-term resilience (Hermans et al., 2024).

3. Stress Activates the Immune System 

Research published on Europe PMC indicates that short-term stress can enhance immune function, improving the body’s readiness to respond to infection or injury. When experienced within limits, the physiological response to stress primes the immune system for faster recovery and adaptation (Dhabhar, 2024).

4. Exercise-Induced Stress Improves Mental and Physical Health

Lots of research has shown that exercise-induced stress, can improve both mental resilience and physical health. Exercise promotes neuroplasticity, and strengthens the cardiovascular system, effectively “training” the body and brain to handle stress more efficiently over time (Scientific American, 2025).

Recommendations for a Rebrand

If we accept that stress is not inherently destructive, we can begin to implement strategies that treat it as a tool. Below are three key actions using Mindful Emotion Coaching to guide this shift:

1. Differentiate Good Stress and Bad Stress
Understanding positive, tolerable, and toxic stress helps to distinguish between harmful, chronic stress and healthy, performance-enhancing stress. 

2. Educate and Equip
Working with a Mindful Emotion coach to understand how to keep your prefrontal cortex engaged, how to effectively use grounding techniques, and how to create space to process the stress all help to move the dial towards good, useful stress.

3. Design Environments That Leverage Positive Stress
Use the Avalon Reflective Model to understand which areas of your life are constructive and destructive to your overall wellbeing. Understand that environments include people environments, financial environments, and the natural and built environment. Take steps to create environments that support your wellbeing.

TLDR

Stress is not inherently the enemy. It is a biological signal designed to alert, protect, and guide us. When understood and applied correctly, stress can become a catalyst for growth, learning, and long-term resilience.

References

• Washington Post (2025). Even Some Teens Say Social Media is Hurting Their Mental Health.
• The Guardian (2024). Do You Feel Overwhelmed? Here's Why – and How to Fix It.
• Hermans, E. J., et al. (2024). The neurobiology of stress and adaptation. PNAS.
• Dhabhar, F. S. (2024). Acute Stress Enhances Immune Function: A Mechanistic View. Europe PMC.
• McGonigal, K. (2024). The Upside of Stress.
• Masten, A. S. (2024). Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development.
• Scientific American (2025). Exercise and Resilience: The Science Behind the Stress Benefit.
• Time (2025). Why Short-Term Stress Can Actually Be Good for You.