Thanks, stress! Turning discomfort into an opportunity to change your life.

These days, we're launching the MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program, an eight-week course that attracts around 200 people each year, many of whom report that the experience has transformed their lives. The testimonials are inspiring, and a clear pattern emerges: when someone acknowledges their situation and chooses to confront it with sincerity and commitment, they discover they have more resources than they thought. They find a path to well-being that, while neither simple nor quick, shows significant results within four to five weeks, which they themselves, as well as their family and friends, notice.

It's important to clarify that I'm not referring to adaptive stress, which can arise in challenging situations, such as meeting a tight deadline, where a certain level of stress can increase focus and productivity. Sometimes, people thrive in the face of adversity, and the adrenaline rush drives them to push themselves further. However, this doesn't always happen; at other times, stress can become overwhelming and impair performance.

When I refer to stress as an opportunity, I'm referring to the negative experience of stress. This manifests when you feel overwhelmed or overburdened, making it difficult to concentrate on your daily activities. This condition can affect your physical and emotional well-being and often manifests as irritability, impatience, or social disconnection. It can also cause insomnia, overeating, or, conversely, a lack of appetite. In the long term, these experiences can lead to anxiety problems and chronic illnesses, creating an unpleasant situation that seems inevitable and slowly sets in. Does this sound familiar?

So where does the blessing lie?

Stress doesn't arise randomly, but rather is the result of various personal causes and conditions that combine. Imagine a couple who, over time, begins to disconnect because their interests have changed (cause). The problem worsens when, instead of talking and adapting to this situation, the couple becomes distracted by work or leisure, without facing their reality (conditions). The distance grows and the situation becomes even more complicated, leading to problems such as infidelity, misunderstandings, power struggles, and constant disagreements (more conditions). Although the past was happy, the present feels stressful and the future uncertain. This situation can continue if neither partner realizes that their relationship has become a mere automatic functioning, driven by chronic stress that is harmful.

This is where life invites us to change our perspective, similar to the scene in which Neo, the protagonist of "The Matrix," must choose between the blue pill and the red one. It's not an easy path; a person can choose to remain in denial, distracted by alcohol, television series, or simply waiting for the situation to resolve itself. However, like Neo, one can choose the red pill and reconnect with reality. Doing this requires courage and sincere effort, as leaving behind the familiar can be terrifying. However, we must ask ourselves: What is the cost of staying in our comfort zone? It is the stress itself that wears us down and makes life difficult. We can stop and reflect: Do I really want to continue like this?

If the topic of relationships doesn't resonate with you, consider stress in your work or financial life, or investigate your own causes to realize that life is asking you to make significant changes.

So, can stress be beneficial?

Of course, as long as you use it as a driver of change toward a more fulfilling life. For example, in the MBSR course, we explore how stress can foster personal growth in four main areas:

1. Increased self-awareness: Stressful situations can motivate people to reflect on how their thoughts, emotions, and actions align with their meaningful values ​​and goals.

2. Increased resilience: Responding creatively to stress helps develop resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from adversity. By facing and overcoming stressful situations, you strengthen your sense of strength and abilities. This resilience can be applied to other facets of your life, helping you better face future challenges.

3. Mejora en las habilidades de resolución de problemas: El estrés a menudo requiere que encuentres soluciones a problemas o que naveg ues situaciones complejas. Esto fomenta el desarrollo de habilidades efectivas para resolver problemas, adoptando una mentalidad más estratégica e ingeniosa que mejora tu capacidad para tomar decisiones creativas.

3. Improved problem-solving skills: Stress often requires you to find solutions to problems or navigate complex situations. This encourages the development of effective problem-solving skills, adopting a more strategic and resourceful mindset that improves your ability to make creative decisions.

This perspective also aligns with the views of psychologist Kelly McGonigal, who advocates that stress can be positive. She also suggests a little-known approach to cultivating greater resilience based on helping others who are also experiencing stress.