Kelly McGonigal: Turning stress into an advantage

Kelly McGonigal: How to Turn Stress Into an Advantage

In her book, The Upside of Stress, McGonigal asks, “If you could choose how stressful tomorrow will be, would you hope for a great deal of stress?” Our natural response is likely a resounding “No.” Yet, as McGonigal shows, a subtle shift in perspective around stress can be incredibly empowering. By reframing stress as a good thing and a sign of personal progress, we can avoid some of the baggage that comes with becoming stressed and actually turn our anxious feelings into a source of strength.

Share your thoughts!

About Kelly

Kelly McGonigal was born on October 21, 1977. She started as a visual artist but then pursued and obtained a B.A. in psychology and a B.S. in Mass Communication at Boston University. She then completed her PhD at Standford University, where she currently is a lecturer. She specialized in the field of health psychology, focusing on helping people achieve personal goals in the face of inner conflict.

Kelly is often quoted by mainstream media articles about iaspects of modern lifestyles that are closely related to inner conflict. Recently she has shifted her attention to stress-coping strategies, such as Yoga and meditation, as they are great allies to ward off the harmful effects of stress. It's no wonder that she's a founding member of the Yoga Service Council and group fitness instructor.

Kelly is the author of two best-sellers; “The Willpower Instinct” and most recently, “The Upside of Stress.”