We’re often told to avoid stress at all costs.But the truth is, some stress isn’t just harmless — it’s necessary for growth.
The Two Kinds of Stress
Bad stress (chronic, unrelenting pressure) drains your energy, harms your health, and clouds your thinking.Good stress (short, voluntary challenges) wakes you up, builds resilience, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
The difference is in duration and choice:
Bad stress lingers and feels imposed.
Good stress is intense but temporary — and you choose to face it.
How I Started Using Good Stress
Instead of avoiding all discomfort, I began adding small, voluntary challenges to my routine:
Cold showers in the morning
Short bursts of intense exercise
Speaking up in meetings when I’d rather stay quiet
Blocking time for focused, distraction-free work
These moments aren’t pleasant in the moment, but they leave me feeling stronger — physically and mentally.
Why It Works
Your body and mind adapt to the demands you place on them.Regular exposure to good stress teaches you to stay calm and capable under pressure.It also makes bad stress easier to handle when it inevitably shows up.
This is something I’ve learned from experience, but also from following the work of people like Jeff Krasno, who speaks often about how we can embrace “good stress” as a catalyst for growth and resilience. His perspective has been a big reference point for me.
Try This
Pick one small challenge you’ll choose to face today — something uncomfortable but safe.It could be as simple as walking in the rain or tackling a task you’ve been avoiding.
Over time, these moments compound into greater confidence, resilience, and self-trust.
👉 What’s one form of “good stress” you can invite into your life this week?