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Could your stress actually be helping you perform better? And is it possible that your mental health challenges might become your greatest strengths? In this myth-busting episode, we challenge two fundamental misconceptions about mental health that might be holding you back.

The first revelation: not all stress is bad. We explore how our beliefs about stress dramatically impact our physiological responses. When we view stress as beneficial rather than harmful, our bodies respond differently. Through the lens of the Yerkes-Dodson law (the stress curve), we discover that moderate stress actually enhances performance, while too little leaves us unmotivated and too much leads to burnout.

We distinguish between chronic stress—the relentless pressure that never lets up—and acute stress, which comes and goes. Most of us have it backward: we catastrophize about acute stressors while underestimating how chronic stress fills our "stress bucket" day after day. This insight explains why seemingly small triggers can cause outsized reactions when we're already carrying a heavy stress load.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we share practical strategies for recontextualizing stress responses. Through personal stories, we reveal how physical activity can transform racing thoughts from overwhelming to manageable. The simple act of raising your heart rate through exercise can completely change how your brain interprets the same sensations that accompany anxiety.

Our second myth—that you cannot be successful if you struggle with mental health—crumbles under scrutiny. Many high achievers not only cope with mental health challenges but channel them into their success. From comedians to business leaders, these struggles often become their greatest source of creativity, connection, and resilience.

This episode offers more than just myth-busting; it provides a transformative framework for working with your stress and mental health challenges rather than against them. By shifting your perspective and implementing practical strategies, you can turn what once felt like limitations into catalysts for growth and achievement.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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