Most people try to avoid stress. Wellness advice often says that reducing stress leads to a happier, healthier life.
But new research suggests the story may be more complicated. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine and Pennsylvania State University studied people who experienced little stress on a daily basis.
The result is emotionsthese people often felt happier and healthier, but were also shown to perform worse on cognitive tests.
The findings cast doubt on the idea that a completely stress-free life is always better.
Stress has two sides
Scientists have long linked chronic stress to serious health problems. Prolonged pressure can increase your risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.
During difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic, stress levels across the United States have skyrocketed.
But psychologists have also noticed that small everyday stressors can help people adapt. Small challenges may train the mind to deal with future difficulties more effectively.
Study co-author David M. Almeida, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University, has been studying daily stress for decades.
“I initially began this study wanting to test the hypothesis that exposure to stressors is the key to understanding health, but that’s not what I discovered,” Almeida said.
“Rather, the key to understanding health is how we respond to stressors.”
Track stress in daily life
The research team used data from the US Midlife study, also known as MIDUS. Participants completed daily telephone interviews over eight consecutive nights.
Researchers asked whether they had experienced arguments, work problems, or stressful events during the day.
Of the 2,711 adults between the ages of 25 and 75, about 10% reported no stressors during the entire eight-day period.
A closer look at everyday stressors
Most people experienced at least one stressful moment a week. However, approximately 264 people did not report at all.
“My work focuses on daily stressors, the small everyday events that cause inconvenience in our lives,” Almeida said.
“They are not life-changing, but they do affect our mental and emotional state at that moment.”
“A bad car accident may be a significant life event, but being stuck in traffic is an everyday stressor. I’m interested in understanding the frequency of these everyday stressors and how they affect our health.”
Life without stress seemed quieter
Those who reported no stressors had several characteristics in common. They were generally older, more likely to be male, and less likely to be employed or married.
Researchers also noticed differences in how these people spent their time. They worked less, volunteered less, and interacted with their emotional support networks less. They also watched more television.
Their lives seemed more peaceful, but they were also less socially active. “We conducted a series of analyzes looking at participants who had never reported experiencing a stressor,” Almeida said.
“We found that, on average, these people worked fewer hours and had less stress in their families. But we also found that they were less likely to report positive events in their lives. They were also less likely to participate in social and emotional support systems with others.”
I am less stressed and feel better
The unstressed group reported more positive emotions such as calmness, contentment, and happiness. They also experienced lower levels of anger, sadness, and frustration.
When researchers measured overall life satisfaction, the stress-free participants scored higher than the rest of the sample.
Their physical health also appeared to be slightly better. Chronic conditions were less likely to be reported overall when factors such as age and employment were taken into account.
But another outcome complicated the situation.
brain performance decreases
Participants completed tests measuring memory, reasoning, processing speed, and mental flexibility.
The unstressed group consistently had lower scores.
The researchers compared the difference with the decline in cognitive function that typically accompanies aging by about an additional eight years.
Among those who reported having a completely stress-free week, tasks related to memory, quick thinking, and mental organization appeared to be weaker.
Exercises to train your brain
Researchers believe that daily stressors may serve as a sign of how we interact with the world.
Managing work issues, dealing with family conflicts, resolving family issues, and responding to unexpected situations all require mental effort.
These moments cause the brain to adapt, organize information, and make decisions. Without this experience, your brain may receive less stimulation.
“Just as exercise is good for the body, managing stress may be good for the brain and cognition. Exercise therapy makes our bodies stronger. Similarly, managing stress and developing a productive stress response can make our cognitive and mental health stronger,” Almeida explained.
“In the above analysis, we found that people who did not experience stressors also performed poorly on cognitive tests, indicating that there is some benefit to experiencing stress.”
Stress often comes from connections.
Daily stress often comes from relationships, responsibilities, and activities that are important to us.
Arguments happen because people care. Workplace stress manifests itself because of the existence of goals and expectations. Even small frustrations like fixing a leaky pipe or dealing with a phone problem require learning and adapting.
“Daily stress often acts as a drag on society,” Almeida said. “When we are experiencing stressors, we naturally want to connect with others and seek support.”
“Everyday stress can also provide new experiences and opportunities to solve problems. Even something as small as fixing a leaky pipe or solving a phone problem can stimulate our brains and often compel us to seek help from others.”
There is a price to pay for being too calm.
This study does not suggest that people should seek ongoing stress. Severe and prolonged stress continues to negatively impact both physical and mental health.
Rather, the findings point to moderation.
A completely frictionless life can increase mental comfort while decreasing mental activity.
A life full of manageable challenges can strengthen cognitive skills while occasionally causing emotional tension.
Good stress management
Almeida advises people to focus on their stressors and find ways to cope with the problem.
“Effectively managing a problem gives you a sense of control over the situation and motivates you to deal with it effectively.”
It also warns against avoiding stress altogether.
“I would like to warn people not to run away from stressors. Stress may feel terrible in the moment, but certain everyday stressors are a natural part of life.”
“The best approach is to develop strategies to resolve these stressors so that you won’t be as upset the next time they occur.”
This research suggests that the human mind may need some level of challenge to remain active and alert. Complete silence may sound appealing, but complete silence can come at a price.
“Stress isn’t necessarily bad. The right kind of challenge can motivate us, help us grow, foster great relationships, and move us forward in our work,” Almeida concluded.
The research will be published in a journal emotions.
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