Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend

The speaker, a health psychologist, discusses the impact of stress beliefs on health. A study showed that viewing stress as harmful increases mortality risk, while seeing it as helpful can improve health. The social stress test demonstrated that rethinking stress responses can lead to healthier outcomes. Oxytocin, a stress hormone, promotes social connections and protects the heart. Caring for others builds resilience against stress. The speaker advises pursuing meaningful activities and trusting oneself to handle stress.

What was the main finding of the study that tracked 30,000 adults regarding stress beliefs?

• Stress is always harmful to health.

• Stress is beneficial for everyone.

• Believing stress is harmful increases the risk of death.

• Stress has no impact on health.

How can changing your mindset about stress affect your body?

• It has no effect.

• It can worsen your stress response.

• It can improve your body's response to stress.

• It can make you more anxious.

What is the speaker's new goal as a health psychologist?

• To eliminate stress completely.

• To increase stress levels.

• To ignore stress.

• To make people better at handling stress.

What biological change occurs when stress is viewed as helpful?

• Blood vessels constrict.

• Heart rate decreases.

• Blood vessels remain relaxed.

• Heart stops pounding.

What is the role of oxytocin during stress?

• It increases anxiety.

• It encourages social interaction and protects the heart.

• It has no role in stress.

• It causes blood vessels to constrict.

What is the nickname given to oxytocin?

• The stress hormone.

• The energy hormone.

• The cuddle hormone.

• The anxiety hormone.

What is the effect of social support on oxytocin's benefits?

• It has no effect.

• It decreases the benefits.

• It enhances the benefits.

• It only affects mental health.

How does helping others affect stress-related health risks?

• It has no effect on stress-related health risks.

• It only affects mental health.

• It reduces stress-related health risks.

• It increases stress-related health risks.

What does the speaker suggest about choosing between a stressful and non-stressful job?

• Choose the job that provides meaning.

• Avoid both jobs.

• Choose the job that offers more money.

• Always choose the non-stressful job.

What does the speaker say about the pursuit of meaning in life?

• It increases stress levels.

• It has no impact on stress.

• It is more beneficial than avoiding discomfort.

• It should be avoided to reduce stress.