It’s a hunker-down, rainy Saturday after months of long work-weeks. This quiet day re-energizes and refocuses me. In its peacefulness, I tell myself, ”No stress today.” But, conversations from the week, goals of impacting education, and a home repair I must accomplish continue running through my mind. When does this train stop?
Today while watching a TED Talk about stress, I’m challenged to reconsider the impact of hard work and mental strain. Can stress actually contribute positively to me as long as I believe it has benefits? Compelling arguments suggest so, even physiologically.
For the last decade, I have never felt so empowered, so motivated, so vision-based in my work. Daily, I talk with students that need hope and parents that need solutions and all the while attempting to run a school and successful business. With a regular dose of healthy dialogue and a network of educational resources, hope is found, and for that, I am grateful. My stress creates meaning for me and helps others, and apparently, that is a formula for happiness and longevity.
So, according to TED Talk’s Kelly McGonigal, “One thing we know for certain is that chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort. And so I would say that’s really the best way to make decisions, is go after what it is that creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows.”
If stress can be good for the mind and body, I must be on the right road. And what about education? Is it heading down right paths with more high-stakes testing, more graduation requirements, and fewer elective options? Well, as I see it, due to swinging pendulums and moving targets, my health will continue to improve on my stress-journey to help students.
McGonigal, Kelly. “How to Make Stress Your Friend.” Kelly McGonigal:. TED Talk, n.d. June. 2013.