How do athletes use "stress" to improve their health?

Stress cannot always be considered “adversity”. If we choose to accept the positive aspects of this psychological state, it can lead to improved mental health, performance, and productivity.

According to an article published by the site "Conversation", studies conducted in the United States and Australia have shown that people who perceive stress as a positive experience are more productive, mentally healthy and have better academic results.

The study indicated a link between a positive mindset and how people perceive stressful situations, such as seeing difficult tasks as a "challenge" rather than a threat.

During the studies, data was collected from more than 400 athletes from around the world in different sports. Questionnaires were used to measure athletes' stress mood and mental health and analyze their association with each other, taking into account age, gender and competition. level.

Studies have shown that athletes who viewed stress positively were more likely to view stressful situations as a challenge, which has also been associated with better mental health, increased energy and reduced stress. symptoms of depression.

The study confirmed that "chronic stress" is linked to a range of negative health conditions.

And while we point out that stress responses can actually be beneficial, for example, athletes see the stress of competition as beneficial, leading them to focus better and motivating them to succeed.

Studies have shown that we can learn to change our mindset in the face of stress. Watching videos that explain the positive effects of stress can help a person change their perception of stress. Watching a clip about stress during a job interview helps him perform better and focus better on his future job. interviews.

Another study showed that thinking about your stress responses as a positive response improves school performance, as does thinking about someone in their nervous stomach as a sign that they are excited rather than stressed.

The best way to do this is to imagine your stressful situation and your reaction to it. Imagine that you are about to give a presentation at work. Acknowledge any symptoms of stress you are feeling, such as a racing heartbeat, and welcome those feelings, realizing that they are there to help you focus and increase your energy.

And we can all learn to use visualization to reinterpret stress as beneficial, according to the study.