Stressed out? It could be a good thing, author says

Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal says stress doesn’t have to be debilitating, and can actually be used to help people focus, give them energy, and increase their brains' learning abilities.

In her new book, "The Upside of Stress," McGonigal argues that stress can be an effective tool to overcome challenges and build relationships.

"We’re so used to hearing the bad news about stress, but higher levels of daily stress have been linked to everything from greater longevity and brain health to even greater meaning in life," the Stanford lecturer told CTV's Canada AM on Monday.

Tapping into the positive side of stress all comes down to mindset, McGonigal said.

Instead of taking stress as a signal that something is wrong, she said people should try and understand stress as their body’s natural response when something they care about is at stake.

"Part of what I want to do with this book is to help people trust their own biology, to trust themselves to handle the stress," she said.

When faced with a stressful situation, human bodies naturally trigger chemical and physical responses. With the right attitude, these responses can be harnessed to to help focus and get work done, McGonigal said, especially when people are facing tight deadlines or large workloads.

"It gives you energy. The adrenaline rush, the chemicals in your brain that give you motivation and attention, that’s part of our stress response," she said. "The first step is when you find yourself thinking 'I’m so stressed out,' then think 'Okay, what do I want to do with this energy?' "

Another biological benefit of stress is that it causes bodies to release the hormone oxytocin, which makes people want to connect with others, McGonigal said. While many people resist this urge and try to deal with stress alone, there can be positive social benefits to reaching out during overwhelming times.

For people stressed out for reasons other than work, McGonigal said there are ways to cope with that too.

For example, many people find themselves overwhelmed as they try to care for a loved one or face chronic unemployment. In these times, the author said, stress can serve as a reminder that "we have these human capacities to persevere."