What if everything you've been told about stress is not exactly true? In this episode, Hannah shares one of her all-time favorite books, The Upside of Stress by Dr. Kelly McGonigal, and makes a pretty convincing case that it's a must-read for everyone. Amy, who just got her copy the night before recording, comes in as the curious newcomer asking Hannah all sorts of good questions.

Together we dig into McGonigal's central argument: that stress isn't something to eliminate, but something to understand and work with. It's hard to believe, but the research says it's true! Hannah talks about how she used to think stress was just something to avoid and how this book completely shifted her perspective. We explore what stress actually does in the body, why your interpretation of those physical sensations matters waaaayyyy more than you'd think, and why trying to live a stress-free life might actually be getting in the way of a living a meaningful one.

We also look at the three conditions that make stress genuinely harmful, Hannah's one non-negotiable takeaway from the book, and why Amy is very glad she finally picked up her own copy.

Not familiar with the book? Dr. McGonigal's TED Talk "How to Make Stress Your Friend" is a great place to start. Want to buy a copy for yourself? Buy it here and your purchase will support us as an Amazon affiliate! Thanks!

This podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. Please reach out to a qualified licensed provider if you need help.