Why You NEED Stress to Thrive!

November 12, 2019

Stress is needed to thrive. Yes, you heard me correct. Stress is needed. And I’m not talking about this idea that there are good and bad stresses. Yes, there are, of course. But it’s more uniform than that.

What I mean is that in order for us to fully grown we need stress. I take a lot of my teachings from nature (and babies and intuition) and this story made me think. Have you heard of Biosphere 2?

Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. Its mission is to serve as a centre for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. Perhaps to see if we can survive on other planets all under an artificial ‘sky’.

Anyway, when the scientists were ensuring they had everything they needed in there, they also put trees in there naturally. They found that although the trees grew, and quickly and tall, they kept falling under their own weight. They couldn’t get it until, it became obvious something was missing.

Wind

Wind was needed in order to create a stress against the trees and form ‘stress wood’ to help them become strong. They needed the stress of the wind to grow strong. We are the same.

Gym

When we look at working out, it’s more obvious. Our muscle tear under the stress of weights, and then overnight (when we sleep) the muscles repair and come back stronger than before. In our lives, it’s very much the same. We need the right amount of ‘wind’ or ‘stress’ to help us become strong.

So we shouldn’t run from stress. Of course, we need the right amount to help our roots grown strong into the ground, and then we can manage against the hurricane when it comes. But we shouldn’t avoid stressful situations and events altogether. It’s about the right amount, rather than type, of stress.

So think about Biosphere 2 and what it teaches us. Stress – neither good nor bad, but useful.

What do you think? Let me know below.