One of Nelson Mandela's best quotes was "it always seems impossible until its done." That's because the impact of stress depends largely on our mindset. If we catastrophise about our problems and see them as unsolvable, we go into full fight-or-flight mode and find it more difficult to make good judgement calls. In this state, even once the problem is over, some people still can't switch off, handwringing and experiencing anxiety about imagined future issues instead.
However, if we reframe our problems as challenges rather than threats, we get a low-level stress response where our heart pumps more efficiently and supplies our brain and body with oxygenated blood, which helps to boost our performance and focus. This kind of stress has an upside, as we can use it to improve and become better versions of ourselves. 'Good stress' helps us rise to a challenge, rewiring the brain in a positive way by building strong connections and resilience.
Crucially, though, this only works if we also know how to relax. The key is finding a way to manage the seesaw between stress and relaxation so that we achieve balance. This means being able to switch easily between the two states, just as cats do when they fall asleep in the sun two minutes after being chased by a dog. One of the best ways to do this is with meditation, which helps us to relax at a deep level and gives our nervous systems a well-earned rest, so then we can rise to the challenges of the day.
*This is a short exert from my upcoming book 'The Ripple Effect; Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Planet', releasing Nov 23rd 2024
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