We are largely taught that stress is universally toxic and should be avoided at all costs. However, research reveals that if you view stress as an enhancing force (eustress) rather than a debilitating one (distress), your body produces a vastly different and healthier physiological response.

References

Crum, A. J., Akinola, M., Martin, A., & Fath, S. (2017). The role of stress mindset in shaping cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to challenging and threatening stress. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 30, 379–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2016.1275585 Cited by: 659

Crum, A. J., Salovey, P., & Achor, S. (2013). Rethinking stress: The role of mindsets in determining the stress response. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 104, 716–733. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031201 Cited by: 1690

Crum, A., & Lyddy, C. (2014). De-Stressing Stress: The Power of Mindsets and the Art of Stressing Mindfully. The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Mindfulness, 948–963. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118294895.ch49 Cited by: 83

We know exercise is good for the heart, but it's equally crucial for the brain. This episode dives into neurogenesis—the creation of new brain cells. Research demonstrates that regular aerobic exercise physically increases the size of the hippocampus, directly improving memory and protecting against cognitive decline.

• Original Citation: Erickson, K. I., et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017–3022.
• Link: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1015950108