If you're like me, or any of the other millions of people on the planet, chances are you encounter stress in your everyday life. We fear it, loathe, and will do anything in our power to avoid it. But what if I told you that stress isn't necessarily something to fear? In this article, I will be discussing three key points as to why stress isn't your enemy.

1. Stress is what helps you conquer your challenges.

We all experience moments of anxiety and fear in our lives. It is a common reaction when we are put under copious amounts of pressure to feel jittery and nauseous. Some people will view stress and anxiety as demons that they need to battle in order to reach their goals. What if I told you this is not the case? Muscles tensing, heart racing, mind focusing on what's directly in front of you: all of this is meant to prep your body so you can charge head on and tackle the goals you set for yourself.. Stress forces you to act. It gives you the energy you need to react, to do something, anything, in order to relieve the swelling feeling of fear inside of you. Say you're walking into an audition or an interview, you know there are people on the other side of that door waiting to judge you, to assess your skills, and as you reach for the door handle your hands are shaking. Stress is pulling down on your shoulders, you're practically dancing around trying to make a choice: do you stay or go? Stress fills you with the power to act, it gives you the ability to grab that handle, burst through the door, and take a risk.

2. Stress brings you closer to people.

We seek people out when we're stressed. Sometimes, all we want is a hug. No soothing words. All we want, all we need, is another person's arms around us. Stress forces us to let our guard down and let others in, which can be hard to do when it feels as though you're out hanging on a limb. As we get older, we are often taught to shut people out and focus solely on the path to success. What if told you the path to success is lined with people, going the same direction as you? If you're a lawyer and can't stand to hold a ten-second conversation with a waitress, you're not going to get very far, are you? The very prospect of meeting people can stress you out, but in your fear you’ll find that connecting with people is the perfect remedy. Try volunteer work, donate your time to people that need it, and if you can, make someone smile. It is said that people that spend their time caring for others have a decreased risk of a stress-related death, and oxytocin (that hormone making you more social) will inevitably strengthen your heart. So go ahead, talk to that new girl at work. Your heart will thank you later.

3. Stress helps you find meaning.

If it stresses you out chances are it's important to you. Maybe it's your job, maybe it's your family. Your appearance, or the amount of money you make. Things that might seem like the end of the world today, ten years down the road might be nothing more than a bad dream. With time comes the realization that not everything is weighted with the same importance. As it has been previously stated, stress forces you to act. It forces you weigh outcomes and make a choice. All aspects of life are founded on making choices. You pick the college you go to, who you marry, where you live. Everything is a choice and stress forces you to make a decision. Stress strips you and leaves you naked and vulnerable, but it's in those moments that you become the most in tune with yourself when your dreams and fears come into the light for you to inspect. The safest choice may seem like a great idea now, but will it aid you in achieving your goals in the long run? In the end, the pressure put on you will help you evaluate your life and set you on the path to happiness and purpose.

With these things in mind, I urge you to go out there and conquer your challenges. Believe in yourself and your capability to handle whatever life throws at you.