logo
pagesback-cover
177
Reddit meter
all mentions

The Upside of Stress

304 pages, 2016

self-improvement

self-improvement

909 books
science & nature

science & nature

1064 books
psychology

psychology

705 books
Takeaways
Description

Drawing from groundbreaking research, psychologist and award-winning teacher Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., offers a surprising new view of stress that reveals the upside of stress and shows us exactly how to capitalize on its benefits.

You hear it all the time: stress causes heart disease; stress causes insomnia; stress is bad for you! But what if changing how you think about stress could make you happier, healthier, and better able to reach your goals? Combining exciting new research on resilience and mindset, Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., proves that undergoing stress is not bad for you;

It is undergoing stress while believing that stress is bad for you that makes it harmful. In fact, stress has many benefits, from giving us greater focus and energy to strengthening our personal relationships. 

McGonigal shows readers how to cultivate a mindset that embraces stress and activates the brain's natural ability to learn from challenging experiences. Both practical and life-changing, The Upside of Stress is not a guide to getting rid of stress but a toolkit for getting better at it—by understanding, accepting, and leveraging it to your advantage.

Stress is not always bad

Kelly McGonigal's book, The Upside of Stress, challenges the common belief that stress is harmful. Instead, she argues that stress can actually be beneficial. It's all about how you perceive and respond to it. So, next time you're feeling stressed, don't panic. It might just be your body preparing you to face a challenge.

Change your mindset about stress

One of the key points in The Upside of Stress is the importance of changing your mindset about stress. If you see stress as a positive force that can help you grow, you'll be more likely to handle it effectively. So, instead of dreading stress, embrace it as a part of life that can make you stronger.

Stress can improve your performance

Did you know that stress can actually improve your performance? That's one of the fascinating insights you'll find in The Upside of Stress. When you're stressed, your body releases hormones that can enhance your focus and stamina. So, stress can be a powerful tool if you learn to harness it.

Stress can foster social connections

Another interesting point that McGonigal makes is that stress can foster social connections. When we're stressed, we often seek support from others, which can strengthen our relationships. So, stress can actually bring us closer to the people around us.

Stress can lead to personal growth

Finally, The Upside of Stress explores how stress can lead to personal growth. When we face challenges and overcome them, we learn and grow. So, stress can be a catalyst for personal development. Check out the book to learn more about this intriguing perspective on stress.

Quotes 5

Kelly McGonigal's 'The Upside of Stress' is a masterful guide to transforming stress into a tool for growth, strength, and happiness.

Arianna HuffingtonArianna Huffington - Huffington Post co-founder

McGonigal's 'The Upside of Stress' is a game-changer, illuminating how we can embrace stress to become more resilient, successful, and happy.

Adam GrantAdam Grant - Organizational psychologist

'The Upside of Stress' by Kelly McGonigal is a revelation, showing us that stress isn't always harmful, but can be a catalyst for growth and creativity.

Daniel PinkDaniel Pink - Bestselling author

Kelly McGonigal's 'The Upside of Stress' is a transformative book that turns conventional wisdom about stress on its head and shows how it can actually be good for us.

Susan CainSusan Cain - Introvert advocate

'The Upside of Stress' by Kelly McGonigal is a groundbreaking book that challenges our perceptions about stress and offers a new approach to harnessing its power for positive change.

Brene BrownBrene Brown - Vulnerability researcher
Arianna HuffingtonAdam GrantDaniel PinkSusan CainBrene Brown

Recommendations

3
Keith Rabois

Keith Rabois

entrepreneurtechnologyventure capitalist
Darya Rose

Darya Rose

hospitalityscientistauthor
Austen Allred

Austen Allred

educatorentrepreneurventure capitalist

The Upside of Stress found in libraries

1
310 books

Best Books for Self Growth

Achieve the greatest potential in everything you do with the Best Books For Personal Growth we can offer.