Stress is good for you (isn’t it) ⁉️

😰 Stress Is Good for You? Here’s Why I’m Starting to Think So...

I used to think stress was something to run from.

You know that tight chested, racing thought, “I can’t cope” feeling that hits you before a big meeting, a looming deadline, or a tricky conversation? That’s what I thought all stress was. Until I picked up The Success Code by Amanda Dewinter.

One chapter turned my perspective upside down, it was all about how stress isn’t always the villain we make it out to be. In fact, some types of stress might just be your secret weapon. 🎯

Let’s break this down, because what I learned could change how you work, lead, and live.

🌪️ Stress: The Good, The Bad & The Surprisingly Useful

Stress isn’t a one-size-fits-all problem. It’s more like a two-headed creature.

⚠️ Toxic Stress – The Kind That Drains You Dry

This is the one we all recognise, the energy zapping, sleepless night inducing, constant cortisol kind of stress. It sticks around too long and chips away at your health, focus, and motivation.

You’ll know it when you feel:

• Constant fatigue 😩

• That heavy sense of dread 😟

• Feeling stuck or like you’re not in control 🤯

• Worry looping in your brain 🌀

Toxic stress is like carrying a weight you can’t put down. It comes from feeling powerless, whether at work, in relationships, or with money. This is the type of stress we do need to heal from.

But here’s where it gets interesting…

💥 Positive Stress – The Kind That Moves You Forward

Say hello to “eustress.” This is the stress you feel when you’re nervous and excited.

Think:

• Starting a business 🧠

• Stepping on stage 🎤

• Prepping for an interview 💼

• Saying yes to a new challenge 🚀

Positive stress isn’t about fear, it’s about growth. It pushes you to focus, show up, and bring your best self. And afterwards? You feel stronger. More capable. Alive. 💃

Amanda Dewinter’s message is clear: it’s not about eliminating stress altogether. It’s about telling the difference.

🔍 Ask Yourself: “Is This Stress Fueling Me, or Flattening Me?”

If you only take one thing away from this blog, let it be this powerful question 👇

“Is this stress draining me, or driving me?”

This simple check-in can help you figure out whether to ‘rest and recover’ or ‘lean in and rise’.

🚀 Turning Nerves into Momentum (Yes, It’s Possible!)

You don’t need to get rid of nerves. You just need to work with them. Here’s how:

1️ Reframe the Feeling

Those butterflies in your stomach? That’s your body saying, “Something important is coming.” Instead of “I’m nervous,” say:

• “I’m ready.”

• “This matters to me.”

• “I’m alert and prepared.”

Just changing the language shifts your mindset. Top performers do this all the time.

2️ Move Your Body

Stress is energy, and it wants an outlet! Before something big:

• Stretch 🙆‍♀️

• Shake out your arms 💃

• Walk it out 🏃‍♂️

• Power pose like a boss 💪

Movement calms the nervous system and brings clarity.

3️ Visualise Success

Take 30 seconds to picture yourself nailing it:

• You’re speaking clearly

• You’re connecting

• You’re calm and confident

When you see success, you prep your brain to create it.

4️ Say It Kindly

Your inner voice matters. Speak like you would to a friend:

• “You’ve got this.”

• “You’ve prepared.”

• “This is growth.”

Amanda calls these mental scripts, and they work.

5️ Focus Only on the First Step

Stress often escalates when we try to control the whole thing. Don’t.

• Click the Zoom link

• Say the first line

• Take the first breath

Momentum starts small.

⚙️ Recognise the Warning Signs

Before stress becomes toxic, your body and brain will drop clues.

💭 Mental + Emotional

• Overthinking

• Mood swings

• Feeling detached or overwhelmed

💪 Physical

• Jaw tension

• Headaches

• Exhaustion, even after sleep

🔁 Behavioural

• Snapping at people

• Avoiding tasks

• Can’t switch off, even at home

📌 Spotting these early can help you pivot before you burn out.

✨ What Stress Can Teach You

Here’s the real magic: stress shows us what matters. You don’t stress over things you don’t care about.

Use it as a signal:

• What’s important here?

• What’s at stake for you?

• How can this help me grow?

When you connect stress to purpose, it stops being scary and starts being useful.

💡 Final Thought: Stress Isn’t the Enemy

Just like Amanda Dewinter says in The Success Code, we need a better relationship with stress. One that allows us to see it not as a threat, but as a tool. 🔧

📚 The people who thrive aren’t the ones with no stress, they’re the ones who work with it, learn from it, and let it fuel their next bold step.

Next time stress hits, try asking:

“What if this isn’t something to run from… but a sign I’m on the edge of something great?”

📘 P.S. Want More Like This?

If you're intrigued by this reframe on stress, I highly recommend checking out The Success Code by Amanda Dewinter. It’s packed with insights like these, and it might just change how you show up in your business and life.