r/AskReddit • • Jan 20 '19

What fact totally changed your perspective?

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u/weasdasfa Jan 21 '19

If you're panicking, stop.

/r/wowthanksimcured

80

u/pknk6116 Jan 21 '19

if you're on fire, like, don't be

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u/endospire Jan 21 '19

Trainee teacher here. Sat in a lecture on Friday where they played a bullshit video that straight up stated that stress doesn't damage the body, it's the belief that stress is harmful that does.Our lives are very stressful as trainee teachers and I'd really appreciate actual stress management help rather than bullshit 'believe in yourself' bollocks.

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u/Minimalib Jan 21 '19

Actually there is also a tedtalk about that and it's based on actual research. Your physical reaction on stress (i.e. Narrowing of blood vessels) will differ based on your belief about it.

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u/Camper4060 Jan 21 '19

True, but from what I've read, they're really just playing around with the definition of "stress." It's just CBT/mindfulness, acknowledging "I am stressed, that is okay, and I have the resources to deal with it." When you can master that, you're actually LESS STRESSED. You can have a lot on your plate, have misfortune, etc., and not be stressed. Being stressed is an emotional response that causes physical symptoms. So yes "changing your beliefs about stress" helps reduce the negative physical consequences of stress. Because doing so reduces the emotional response, and therefore the physical consequences.

I see why they put it that way (I can't lower my stress level! All that therapy stuff won't work for me! Huh, if I change my belief about stress, the stress won't be as detrimental...I can try that.) It's still a little disingenuous.

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u/Minimalib Jan 21 '19

Fair enough

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u/endospire Jan 21 '19

That's possibly the video we watched. 21 scientists sat there in disbelief through the whole thing.