We’re constantly told that stress is bad. But what if a bit of stress is actually good for you?
According to Dr. Sharon Bergquist—physician, professor, and author of The Stress Paradox—stress has a “sweet spot,” finding it might just help you live a longer, healthier, and more energized life. The key? Learning how to use stress rather than be consumed by it.
Bergquist knows stress firsthand. Her childhood was shaped by war, fleeing Iran during the revolution, learning a new language in a new country, and still rising to become a Yale and Harvard graduate. That journey sparked her fascination with why some people grow under pressure while others break.
Her research reveals that not all stress is created equal. “Good stress,” she explains, comes from meaningful challenges like chasing goals you care about. This kind of stress actually triggers feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, helping build resilience and keeping harmful cortisol levels in check.
So how do you find your Goldilocks zone of stress? Here are her top 5 tips:
- Challenge Yourself: Push outside your comfort zone, but avoid being overwhelmed. Growth happens in that “just right” middle zone.
- Align Stress With Your Values: Stress is healthier when it comes from purpose-driven action—not from living out of sync with your beliefs.
- Prioritize Recovery: Rest and recharge are critical. Even good stress can wear you down without time to reset.
- Train Your Brain Through Your Body: Exercise, plant-based foods, cold plunges, and even intermittent fasting can build stress resilience.
- Embrace It—You Were Built for This: Stress isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature. With the right mindset, it can become your superpower.
Bottom line? Don’t fear stress—harness it.
