TL;DR:
- Fighting our stress can oftentimes create more stress.
- Embrace your stress and use it to help you grow.
Recently, I had what I think was a panic attack. I was visiting my new chiropractor for the first time. I was running late and overdressed for the weather. By the time I got into the office, I felt like I was starting to overheat. As I was trying to cool down, the chiropractor walked in. I started sweating more. As the treatment went on, I tried harder and harder to stop sweating. This made it worse to the point he used a towel to dry me off. No joke. Very embarrassing.
If we can embrace stress more and view it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and reflection, we are able to turn what many perceive as a negative into a positive. Click To Tweet 
I vividly recall this happening to me once in Teacher’s College during a presentation. I was always curious about why it happened. This is until I read the book, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. In this book, he explains how excessive sweating, stuttering, insomnia, blushing, and shaking can result from the stress we put ourselves under trying to stop them from happening. He suggests that the trick is to not only embrace what is happening (ie. sweating), but try to make it worse (ie. sweat more). He coined this intervention of anxiety— paradoxical intentions. Very interesting to read about!
Embrace Stress
As I reflected more about this experience at the chiropractor’s, I was reminded of the importance of embracing stress and not fighting it. While writing the book, STRIVE for Happiness in Education, I found incredible research on the importance of how we view stress and how it can impact our overall health. Here is what the study of over 30,000 people discovered:
- Those who reported experiencing high stress and believed it was harmful had a 43% increase in the risk of premature death.
- Those who reported experiencing high stress, but did not see it as harmful, were at the lowest risk of premature death— even lower than people who reported low stress.
I find it fascinating to think that our perception of stress can play such a pivotal role in our health. If we can embrace stress more and view it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and reflection, we are able to turn what many perceive as a negative into a positive. I have to admit this is easier than it sounds, but I believe it works.
Peaks and Valleys
What has helped me to better embrace stress in my personal and professional life is my favorite book of all time by Spencer Johnson, Peaks and Valleys. It is the story of a young man’s journey to get out of the valley and on to the peak. Eventually, he meets a wise man at the peak. The wise man shares his peaks and valleys approach to living a fulfilling life.
I read this book a minimum of four times each year. Especially when I am in a valley or reaching a peak. With regard to stress, this book has taught me that in our deepest valleys, we learn our greatest lessons. It has also helped me to reflect on how these valleys have been instrumental in helping me find new peaks that I could not have enjoyed had I not experienced these hardships.
For instance, the book I wrote on happiness in education is a direct result of not being happy in education. Eventually, I was tired of no longer being excited to come to work each day. This motivated me to try to reconnect to my love of teaching. It forced me to be more reflective, think about my emotional state, and make changes in my life and in my way of thinking. I can genuinely say I am now grateful for all of my valleys and the lessons they have taught me.
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Once we understand that valleys are a natural part of life and that everyone experiences them, it is easier to embrace them and look for meaning in them. The better we become at embracing stress, the healthier, happier, and more successful we will be in the classroom and throughout all aspects of our lives!
About Robert Dunlop
Robert Dunlop is a teacher, speaker, and author who has a passion for helping other educators love their careers. His work with thousands of teachers, principals, and support staff has given him insight into the importance of happiness in education.
He believes that all students deserve to be surrounded by educators who are passionate and love coming to school each day. To help make this a reality, he has made it his mission to help educators make happiness and well-being a priority.
Recently, he published STRIVE for Happiness in Education and created a free staff wellness program on his website MotivatEDU.com. He continues to share his message through talks and workshops.
