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

by Kelly McGonigal

Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale

You might think, “It depends on the day.” But actually, people’s scores on this scale are remarkably stable over time. Feeling burdened rather than uplifted by everyday duties is more a mindset than a measure of what is going on in your life.

When you believe that stress is harmful, anything that feels a bit stressful can start to feel like an intrusion in your life. Whether it’s waiting in line at the grocery store, rushing to meet a deadline at work, or planning a holiday dinner for your family, everyday experiences can start to seem like a threat to your health and happiness. You may find yourself complaining about these experiences, as if your life has gone off course and there is some stress-free version of it out there waiting for you.