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    The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It
    Unavailable
    The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It
    Unavailable
    The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    4.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The author of The Willpower Instinct delivers a controversial and groundbreaking new book that overturns long-held beliefs about stress.

    More than forty-four percent of Americans admit to losing sleep over stress. And while most of us do everything we can to reduce it, Stanford psychologist and bestselling author Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., delivers a startling message: Stress isn't bad. In The Upside of Stress, McGonigal highlights new research indicating that stress can, in fact, make us stronger, smarter, and happier--if we learn how to embrace it.

    The Upside of Stress is the first book to bring together cutting-edge discoveries on the correlation between resilience--the human capacity for stress-related growth--and mindset, the power of beliefs to shape reality. As she did in The Willpower Instinct, McGonigal combines science, stories, and exercises into an engaging and practical book that is both entertaining and life-changing, showing you:

    • how to cultivate a mind-set to embrace stress
    • how stress can provide focus and energy
    • how stress can help people connect and strengthen close relationships
    • why your brain is built to learn from stress, and how to increase its ability to learn from challenging experiences
     

    McGonigal's TED talk on the subject has already received more than 7 million views. Her message resonates with people who know they can't eliminate the stress in their lives and want to learn to take advantage of it. The Upside of Stress is not a guide to getting rid of stress, but a guide to getting better at stress, by understanding it, embracing it, and using it.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 5, 2015
    ISBN9780698401693
    Unavailable
    The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It

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    Reviews for The Upside of Stress

    4.5/5

    31 ratings22 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Good balance of scientific information and real life examples are thoughtful and help the reader think about the kinds of stressors in his/her life. The main thrust of the book seems to be: Stress is not always bad, stress can be a motivator, stress can actually help you reach your goals and fulfill your life's purpose. At the very least, this book will get you thinking about stress and learning to recognize it and deal with it in better ways in your own life.
    • 4/5
      A interesting look at stress and the way it affects our lives. I loved that she cites actual scientific studies throughout the book to support her conclusions. One of the biggest things I took from the book is that the negative effect of stress is usually a result of how you approach it. If you see stress as something to motivate or energize you then it doesn't wear you down. Also, if you look at how the things that may be stressful (raising kids, finishing a degree) are actually helping you fulfill the life you want and supporting your values then your body begins to see those situations as positive, not negative.
    • 1/5
      Dr McGonigal attempts to convince us that "stress" is what our brains need to achieve. The provocative title dissolves away when you realize that what she is talking about is challenge or the drive to meet high expectations; these are of course good things and do help us to achieve. Chronically high cortisol levels, sleep deprivation, etc, have no upside, but the book elides over the distinction between "stress" and "stress." The book would be better had it spent more effort clarifying that distinction--and made similar distinctions about the research cited throughout. There is a good idea here, something perhaps along the lines of what Theodore Roosevelt had in mind when he said that "far away the best chance life offers is to work hard at work worth doing," but the oversimplifications throughout this book hold it back.
    • 2/5
      Details what stress is and its effects on our bodies. Argues that stress is not bad. Good examples with science to back it up (though not sure how mainstream this science is). Seeks to change our mindset towards stress. Not sure that I am a believer. I grew up across the street from Dr. Holmes form the University of Washington (he developed the point scale for common stresses on our lives). I think i will just take 9 points for submitting a late Early Reviewer's review and move along now.
    • 4/5
      Received this book as part of the early reviewers group. My copy was an uncorrected proof, but very readable. The author, Dr. McGonigal, has a pleasant and personal style. The information she shares is very easy to apply; easy as any change to how we do things can be. While I've learned to handle stress pretty well as an emergency room nurse, there is much to learn, and this book is a mojor tool to make it happen.
    • 5/5
      Really enjoyed this listen. Learned alot. Enjoyed the stories and ways to apply to my life
    • 5/5
      A fantastic addition to the growing understanding of stress. Highly reccomended to anyone looking for deeper insight into mind and bodies relationship to challenge, threat, and trauma.
    • 5/5
      This book is amazing. It helped me to shift my focus & get strength from things that drained me before. It is written in a fun and comprehensive way still baring lots of insights & research data. Outstanding
    • 5/5
      This is a combined book for learning & understanding, along with a self-help book. As an academic book, we learn that there are different types of stress, and that stress has an important role in our performance and our satisfaction with accomplishments. As a self-help book, we learn that the understanding of how stress works FOR us rather than against us will give us immediate benefits in dealing with the stress in our personal lives. There are many, many studies cited in support of this thesis. I am not yet completely sold an all point in the book, but I have been coming to a similar understanding out of my own recent life experiences. I work in an environment where there is regular stress, but since I am working in my retirement, I don't really have any fear with respect to losing my job. So, I have been coming around to the feeling that this stress is no more than a challenge, which turns out to be one of the key points in the book; i.e. fear stress and challenge stress are entirely different things, and challenge stress sets physiological changes in motion that can lead to improved performance.If you are often feeling overwhelmed by stress and thinking that there should be a better way, then this book might well be invaluable for you. For me it fully supports what I've learned and I only wish I'd learned some of this 30 or more years ago.
    • 4/5
      McGonigal has done it again. The Willpower Instinct changed my perception of willpower and this book has completely changed how I view stress. And I appreciate that she has not just made statements without backing them up with research.One of the most surprising findings is that our belief about stress changes how our body reacts to it. And learning about it is enough to change your mindset around stress. In short, it's well worth the read.
    • 4/5
      This book provides a long form description of stress, it's impact on us, and ways to reframe the way we think about stress. It provides good use of citation providing those of us with the inclination to further investigate the merits of the argument. It is well written and provides useful advice with verifiable data.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed the science of this book a lot. It was definitely interesting to hear a different viewpoint on stress since everything in media, from most doctors, and just people you talk to is about stress reduction or avoidance. I did wish that there had been more practical information to turn your own stress into something helpful.
    • 4/5
      Thsi book provides a counter point to the traditional 'stress is bad for you line.' A lot of the book is giving examples of studies that show that in stressful situations the body can become amped up. I have long known that there are different reactions to stress, and honestly I think that it has helped me. There are different types of reactions to stress and how your mental state is about the situation changes how the body reacts and can lead to enhanced performance. While some people may have fully bought into the 'bad stress' mindstate, there is no harm in thinking that stress can be enhancing, as long as people do not seek out more than they can handle.
    • 5/5
      I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.This is a self help book. Normally, I am skeptical of such things; those that I've read tended to be repetitive and lacking evidence to back up their positions. So I approached this with skepticism. In fact, I approached with outright hostility, as I've been feeling very, very stressed lately. When I showed the book to someone who is also stressed out, her reaction pretty much stated my position as well. "F*** you, Kelly McGonicgal."SO that's where I came from when approaching this book. That said, I believe in fair play and open-mindedness. So if Dr. McGonigal really had the ability to change my outlook on stress, I needed to shove that attitude and read the book.Which I did. And I'm glad that I did.The premise of the book is that stress is not bad for you. Yes, it sucks to be unhappy and yes, stress can have a bad effect on your health and happiness. But if you reframe the way you think about such things, those effects will be reduced and more manageable. So if you can't get rid of your stress, make it it work for you.And this is practical advice because, at least in my case, the things that stress me out aren't things that I can cut out of my life. I can't walk away from them or minimize my exposure to them. The book is chock full of studies and anecdotal stories about how the belief that stress is bad is the problem, not stress itself. That stress can be harnessed, can help you grow as a person and how it doesn't have to consume you. I like evidence, I like studies,and she quotes at least one study or research project or personal anecdote for every aspect of her book. I respect that.The writing is also nicely accessible. For all her quoting research, it doesn't come across as too scholarly or highbrow. Just well informed. I wouldn't say that all my troubles have melted away since reading the book. Nor that I am totally zen in the face of life's tribulations and annoyances. But I would say that I'm better equipped to deal with them. I have a new set of perspectives to frame my current experience from and maybe even a better attitude about them too. So, thanks. I needed that.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed reading this book about the upside of stress. I have a very stressful job, and I've always been concerned about how high levels of stress are affecting me. As the author states, we are all told that stress is bad and harmful. This book doesn't necessarily dispute that - but the author tells us it doesn't have to be that way. It is all about whether you think it's harmful or not. Your mindset about stress actually affects whether it does damage or not. McGonigal gives many different research and study results to back up her claims. Although these claims were hard to believe, I do notice that there are people who seem to handle stress very well and even embrace it. Before I would have chalked it up to their personality, but now I'm wondering if it might not be how they view stress in the first place. The author has exercises throughout the book designed to get you thinking differently about stress. I am planning on giving this a try. There is really nothing to lose by seeing the benefits to the stress I can't get away from and everything to gain. In fact, I may not have to try very hard, simply by reading the book and considering its implications may be all that is needed.This book was very easy reading. Even though she brings in a lot of research, her style of writing made it easy to understand. I recommend to anyone who is worried about the effects of stress in their life.Advance copy courtesy of the Library Thing.
    • 4/5
      This book came when my son was facing a thesis presentation and my daughter a very important interview. I read it and found it very interesting, but both of the gained a new perspective and were able to look at their stressful situations with a new perspective. Very well written, easy to read, and definitely new information.
    • 5/5
      This book was amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It talks about how our view of stress affects how stress affects us, and that there are ways we can interact with our stress to harness what it has to offer us - rising to the challenge, connecting with others, recognizing that we are excited or that something is important to us, and considering what resources we have available to meet the challenge. It is full of exercises to try. McGonigal is trying to move us from "I feel stress" -> "stress is going to kill me" - "I need to stop/avoid it at all costs", to "I feel stress" -> "what kind is it/what kind do I want it to be/what is it telling me" - "how can I use what's there to help me live better in the world.?"

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This is not only about stress. It also taught me a lot about empathy, resilience, pursuing your goals and fear. I would highly recommend this audiobook, the author is a very good narrator. It's also based on actual research -and lots of it- so her conclusions are founded on real results, not just made up. If you're hesitant about it, she also has a TedTalk about the topic, which you could check out first.
    • 4/5
      Free early review copy. Stress is poorly defined here, unfortunately; it sometimes seems to cover the waterfront, including long-term challenges like caring for a sick partner as well as work crunches, but more often seems focused on time-limited challenges. McGonigal argues that we’re poorly served by being told that stress is a problem, because we generally (1) can’t get rid of most stress, and (2) often benefit from the stressful activities, like raising kids or caring for relatives or working at a challenging job, in ways that we would regret if they were absent. Stress, she argues, is not unhealthy or detrimental to performance if you understand it correctly. Research shows that people who are told that feeling stress won’t hurt their performance do perform better; they accept the stress as a sign of their commitment to the activity. More generally, reaffirming the values that you have and the benefits that an activity will give you and your community in the long term—especially by writing them down—can help you put stress in context and understand it as a reaction, not a condition to be treated. I don’t know how well it would work for a really long-term challenge, but I’m going to try that pep talk next time I’m nervous about my job.
    • 5/5
      The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at Itby Kelly McGonigal, PH.D.Coming from Kelly McGonigal, I should not have been surprised by her encouraging and practical explanations and strategies. Her message is simple but is often difficult to accept, that stress, or rather one’s perception of stress, can be beneficial. In fact, we can thrive while under stress, because the body produces reactions and substances to protect, to foster courage, to perform, to problem solve, to challenge. Kelly supports her assertions, and her own change of mind toward stress, with research and stories. She doesn’t just make a point, then leave you to find your own path. Instead, she lays out clear steps, such as acknowledging that stress occurs because we care deeply about something, and using the energy toward reaching goals and values. Stress can empower one with strength, greater success, courage, compassion, and behaviors of seeking a network of support. Embracing stress, even through some of life’s toughest circumstances, changes thoughts about oneself and what can be handled. Making the choice to change one’s mindset about stress can actually change bodily responses and chemistry, thus can be transformational, leading to a healthier, happier life. The implications of research she presented are vast and I found her style and content highly motivational. This should be required reading in many circles and professions, including education. It is certain to be one of the most life changing self-help books.This book was a LibraryThing Early Reviewer ARC from Avery, a member of Penguin Group, in exchange for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      Great book to understand how stress impacts us as well as how to focus the energy properly. Great examples from the real world, backed up with real science so it is not just anecdotes. The audio book is a good listen as well (although I had to up the speed to 1.5). I have recommended this to several people, and use some of the techniques - especially for affirmations - in my coaching.
    • 5/5
      It is a commonly held belief that stress is harmful and something to be avoided at all costs. "Not true!", counters Kelly McGonigal and her book, The Upside of Stress, proves this claim. It's all about how you deal with stress - seeing yourself as a 'victim' is what makes stress harmful. McGonigal does not follow the typical 'wishcraft' mode of many self-help books (if you put a positive enough spin on the situation it will magically transform itself) - rather you change how you see yourself as dealing with the stress (moving from victim to capable). This may seem a very tall order with some of the dire situations people find themselves in. Yet McGonigal not only assures us that it is possible but that you get better with continued practice - thereby providing far-reaching and beneficial results. And this is no empty claim, she provides ample research and scholarship as support. I greatly enjoyed this book, finding it very informative and also quite engaging. McGonigal uses storytelling to great effect to get her point across (and it turns out that this device has some other benefits as well; which she also covers). She provides numerous exercises and reflective questions to help you to work through and change your own mindset about stress. The only quibble I have is that there was no consolidation of the exercises either as chapter summaries (some chapters do but not all) or as an appendix - as a reference that would have been most helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone but most particularly for young adults (I wish I had had these skills when I was younger to help get me through some of my own rough patches). Excellent - it will be going in my 'favorites' library.