Work and stress go together like salt and pepper, like peanut butter and jelly, like Bill Cosby and… never mind.

And if you’re a human being with a job, which we’re fairly sure you are, then this dynamic duo is unavoidable.

And that’s bad, right?

Well…is it?

For most of us, our association with stress is negative. It’s to be avoided at all costs. And when it’s 1:00 AM and your mind’s racing, worrying about that deadline or your shitty boss, it’s not hard to see why.

But, have we got this all wrong?

Is stress, if administered correctly, actually a good thing? Is that four-hour workweek we so desperately desire as good an idea as we once thought?

Let’s see, shall we?

What Does Stress ACTUALLY Mean?

Is it biting your nails? The sweat on your palms? Your right knee that never stops jittering?

What is it?

It’s about pressure and demands. More specifically, when the demands placed upon you exceed your perceived ability to meet them.

So what?

Well, understanding what stress is, as opposed to biting your nails, allows you to reframe it and subsequently see it as good. It also makes it much easier to stop stressing about trivial things.

You’re running late for your kid’s soccer game and can’t find your car keys. Do the demands of finding your keys (making it to the game on time) exceed your perceived ability to remember that they’re under the fruit bowl?

No.

Worst case scenario you find your keys and miss the warm-up, and if you don’t, the world’s not going to stop spinning.

Now what if you’re leading a big campaign for the release of a new product at work?

Is it possible you’re in over your head and can’t execute the campaign effectively?

Sure.

And there you go, getting all stressed again.

Or is this an opportunity to learn and test your leadership skills on a project that will thrust you forward if successful?

Demands aren’t always threats. Often they’re opportunities.

Think like this and those butterflies become flutters of excitement.

Can Stress Be Good?

It’s generally understood that prolonged stress is linked to poor health, including a weakened immune system, heart disease, depression and anxiety disorders, and a higher chance of death.

That’s not ideal.

However, studies suggest that people in higher-responsibility positions with greater job demands have better health outcomes and are less stressed than people in lower-responsibility positions, despite appearing more taxed

But why?

This may be because those in higher responsibility positions also tend to have greater autonomy, control, and power. They’re more able to influence the demands placed upon them relative to their ability to meet them. They can delegate workload, leverage experienced coworkers, and have access to resources that others don’t, making their lives easier.

This probably isn’t you. But does that still mean all stress is bad stress?

No.

Stress can be good if it’s moderate in intensity and short-term, rather than chronic. It pushes performance, leading to achievement and increasing job satisfaction.

In a nutshell, stress is to the worker what tension is to the violin string: too little and the music is dull and raspy, too much and the music is shrill or the string snaps.

The issue is how to manage it. Managed stress makes us productive and happy, mismanaged stress hurts and even kills us.

How to Manage Stress

The irony of stress management is that for most of us, it’s so simple. So here’s a quick-fire list of some things you probably know you should be doing but aren’t.

1. Get a physical hobby.

A non-negotiable. Being able to switch off from work is key. Get a hobby that requires your total attention and burns a few calories in the process.

Make sure this is YOUR hobby, not your partner or friends. There’s no point going to a couples spin class after work if you hate it. You’ll lose interest and drift right into work mode again.

2. Take more breaks at work

A 5-minute coffee run for some fresh air isn’t going to prevent you from finishing that project on time. Give your nostrils a break from the methane-ridden cubicle air they’ve been inhaling all day.

3. Shape your environment

If you work from home, make your workspace nice. Think windows with some natural light, fresh air, and a clean workspace.

Oh and do yourself a favour and get a f*cking desk plant!

4. Get some support

For some, all it takes is venting to their partner or speaking with a friend, for others, more professional help is required. Whatever it is, figure out what kind of support you need and leverage it.