The Upside of Stress

Pete Moore · June 2020

Recently, I learned to reframe how I think about stress by reading The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It by Kelly McGonigal. McGonigal writes, “Stress and meaning are inextricably linked. You don’t stress out about things you don’t care about, and you can’t create a meaningful life without experiencing some stress.”

The concepts in the book also remind me of one of my favorite quotes, which I think about when things become difficult. “Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom”― Jim Rohn.

I find myself drawing on some of the strategies I learned as I am about to start my new role at Davidson Day School. Being an educator can be extremely stressful and draining at times, and it is amplified with so much uncertainty in the world right now. Learning how to reframe stress could drastically help improve the emotional health of your schools, especially during really challenging times.

McGonigal’s message clearly resonates with a lot of people. Her fifteen-minute TED talk below has been viewed over ten million times on www.ted.com!

Pete Moore has worked in schools for more than 25 years, as a teacher, division head, and Head of School. Read more about Pete or get in touch.