The stress response • 2 min read
Psychologists in Yale and Cambridge came together to carry out a study on the relationship between mindset and stress. They found that individuals who perceive stress as debilitating tend to either over or under react to stress.
However, individuals with a “stress is enhancing” mindset, have a more moderate cortisol response to stress. These individuals are more open to feedback during stress which is key for learning and growth.
Introduction
Stress is often viewed negatively, but the effects on your workforce depend entirely on the amount and duration of exposure. Raising awareness about "good" and "bad" stress within your organisation is critical for fostering resilience while minimising risks.
Let’s examine the science behind stress and its impact on your people.
The stress response explained
Stress triggers the release of inflammatory proteins and cortisol, a hormone that can act as either an ally or an adversary.
Good stress: When cortisol is directed to an area under strain, it strengthens the body and mind, building resilience over time. This helps your employees develop the mental and physical "muscle" to handle greater challenges in the future.
Bad stress: When stress persists for too long, the body fails to adapt. Prolonged exposure leads to exhaustion and chronic stress, depleting your employees' mental capacity and diminishing their performance.
If excessive cortisol levels linger, they can disrupt the body's processes, increasing the risk of health problems and ultimately eroding productivity.
How excessive stress impacts your people
When stress levels remain unchecked:
Cortisol, instead of aiding growth, accumulates and harms the body and mind.
The constant "fight-or-flight" response leaves your employees feeling under attack, sapping their focus and energy.
Chronic stress erodes productivity, effectiveness, and overall well-being, increasing the likelihood of burnout and health complications.
By managing stress effectively, your organisation can reduce these risks while enabling employees to thrive under the right conditions.
Key takeaways
Stress can be "good" or "bad" depending on the duration and intensity of exposure.
Cortisol, the hormone behind the stress response, strengthens resilience when managed correctly.
Prolonged stress prevents adaptation, leading to health risks and declining performance.
Think big, act small
Start by building awareness of stress within your organisation:
Good stress: Identify areas where your employees can be strategically exposed to manageable stress, such as tackling challenging but achievable projects.
Bad stress: Pinpoint work environments or roles where stress levels may be lingering at unhealthy levels, and take steps to address them.
Understanding and balancing stress will help your workforce build resilience while safeguarding their well-being.
Content sources
Harvard Business Review, Stress Can Be a Good Thing If We Know How To Use It
National Library of Medicine, Rethinking stress: the role of mindsets in determining the stress response, Alia Crum, Peter Salovey, Shawn Achor
Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
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