Guardian Article on Stress
The truth about stress: from the benefits of the ‘good kind’ to the exercise that only makes it worse
Summary of the Article
The science of stress shows that it’s not “all in the mind” — stress is a whole-body hormonal response (especially involving cortisol) that’s triggered by the brain, particularly the amygdala and hypothalamus. Our sensitivity to stress is often shaped early in life, even prenatally: severe maternal stress can alter an infant’s stress reactivity and possibly their DNA.
Stress isn’t always harmful. The fight-or-flight response evolved to keep us alive, and moderate, predictable, or voluntary stress can improve performance. Research shows that some cortisol boosts focus, while too little or too much reduces performance.
Stress is not limited to male executives. Modern research demonstrates that the most stressed people are often those facing high demands with low control — such as carers, people with multiple jobs, or workers in tightly monitored environments. Stress has always existed; even Victorians feared “modern life” was overwhelming. What’s changed is the source and pace of information, not the existence of stress itself.
Contrary to popular belief, stress isn’t mainly caused by big life events. Chronic, repeated small pressures often cause more harm than major crises. What counts as “minor” is subjective and heavily influenced by personal circumstances such as income.
Exercise isn’t always a cure-all. While physical activity can relieve stress, intense exercise can increase cortisol for hours, and workouts that feel like a chore may backfire. Gentler or enjoyable movement may help more.
Stress affects weight in different ways. About one-third of people lose weight when stressed, while two-thirds gain it — driven by hormonal shifts toward abdominal fat and stress-induced cravings for high-fat, high-sugar foods.
Animals experience stress too, but only humans suffer from chronic anticipatory stress — worrying about future events. This anticipatory stress can be useful (e.g., motivating study before an exam), but it can also be relentless and draining.
Finally, stress is not the individual’s fault. It’s often imposed by external circumstances, and chronic stress reduces cognitive capacity, making it even harder to escape stressful conditions such as poverty.
