Most people try to avoid stress. But what if changing how you think about stress could actually make you happier, healthier, and better able to reach your goals? Kelly McGonigal’s TED Talk, “How to make stress your friend” is one of the most viewed TED talks with over 20 million views. In her book, The Upside of Stress, Kelly shares the hidden benefits of stress and how you can make it a catalyst in your own life. In this episode, Kelly explains why trying to avoid stress is counterproductive and why instead, you should focus on three mindset resets to re-frame how you view stress.
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Show Notes
- Why you should stop trying to avoid stress (1:59)
- The stress mindset effect: how to re-frame how you think about stress (3:23)
- The definition of stress (6:11)
- Tactics to change the way you think about stress (6:50)
- The power of mindset resets in managing stress (8:30)
- How stress drives human connection (10:26)
- Why trying to avoid stress you can’t control is dangerous for your health (12:26)
- How to help your kids manage stress (15:02)
- The biology of resilience (18:15)
- The three mindset resets for performance under pressure (20:31)
- Why companies should help people understand meaningful stress instead of offering stress reduction programs (23:24)
- Kelly’s new book- The Joy of Movement (26:14)
- Why exercise and movement are so critical to mental health, happiness, and social connection (27:46)
- How hope molecules are produced through movement (30:37)
Resources / People Mentioned
- TED Talk: How To Make Stress Your Friend
- The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal
- The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal
- PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives by Frank Warren
- The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
- So You Think You Can Dance, TV show
- Dancing with the Stars, TV show
- The Great British Bake Off, TV show
- American Ninja Warrior, TV show
- Jane McGonigal, game designer
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Angela Duckworth on Why Gritty People Are More Successful
- Ryan Holiday on How to Turn Obstacles into Advantages
- Adam Grant on Finding Motivation and Meaning at Work
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review!