Most people try to avoid stress. Wellness advice often tells us that less stress leads to a happier and healthier life.
But a new study suggests the story may be more complicated. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and Penn State studied people who experienced almost no daily stress.
The results, published in Emotion, showed that these individuals often felt happier and healthier, but they also performed worse on cognitive tests.
The findings challenge the idea that a completely stress-free life is always better.
Stress has two sides
For years, scientists have linked chronic stress to serious health problems. Long periods of pressure can raise the risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
During difficult periods like the COVID-19 pandemic, stress levels across the United States climbed sharply.
Yet psychologists have also noticed that small daily stressors can sometimes help people adapt. Minor challenges may train the mind to handle future difficulties more effectively.
David M. Almeida, co-author of the study and Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, has spent decades studying daily stress.
“I first started this work wanting to test the hypothesis that exposure to stressors was the key to understanding health, but that’s not what I found,” said Almeida.
“Instead, the key to understanding health is how we react to stressors.”
Tracking stress in daily life
The research team used data from the Midlife in the United States survey, also known as MIDUS. Participants completed daily phone interviews over eight consecutive evenings.
Researchers asked whether they experienced arguments, work problems, or stressful events during the day.
Out of 2,711 adults between the ages of 25 and 75, about 10 percent reported no stressors during the entire eight-day period.
A closer look at daily stressors
Most people experienced at least one stressful moment during the week. But around 264 individuals reported none at all.
“My work focuses on daily stressors, which are the small, mundane events that cause inconveniences in our lives,” said Almeida.
“While they are not life-changing, they have an impact on our mental and emotional state in the moment.”
“A bad car accident might be a major life event, but being stuck in traffic would be a daily stressor. I’m interested in understanding the sheer frequency of these daily stressors and how they affect our health.”
Stress-free lives looked quieter
The people who reported no stressors shared several traits. They were generally older, more likely to be male, and less likely to be employed or married.
Researchers also noticed differences in how these individuals spent their time. They worked less, volunteered less, and interacted less with emotional support networks. They also watched more television.
Their lives appeared calmer, but also less socially active. “We did a series of analyses examining participants who never reported experiencing stressors,” said Almeida.
“We found that, on average, these people worked fewer hours and had less family stress, but they were less likely to report positive events in their lives. They were also less likely to engage in social and emotional support systems with others.”
Less stress improved mood
The stress-free group reported more positive emotions like calmness, satisfaction, and happiness. They also experienced lower levels of anger, sadness, and frustration.
When researchers measured overall life satisfaction, the stress-free participants scored higher than the rest of the sample.
Their physical health also looked slightly better. After accounting for factors like age and employment, they reported fewer chronic illnesses overall.
But another result complicated the picture.
Weaker brain performance
Participants completed tests that measured memory, reasoning, processing speed, and mental flexibility.
The stress-free group consistently scored lower.
Researchers compared the difference to the cognitive decline normally associated with aging about eight additional years.
Tasks involving memory, quick thinking, and mental organization appeared weaker among people who reported completely stress-free weeks.
Exercise for the brain
The researchers believe daily stressors may act as signs of engagement with the world.
Managing work problems, handling family conflicts, solving household issues, and responding to unexpected situations all require mental effort.
These moments push the brain to adapt, organize information, and make decisions. Without these experiences, the brain may receive less stimulation.
“Managing stress may be good for the brain and cognition, just like exercise is for the body. With an exercise regimen, the body becomes strong. Similarly, by managing our stress and developing productive stress responses, our cognitive and mental health can become stronger,” explained Almeida.
“In the analyses mentioned above, we found that the individuals who didn’t experience stressors also performed lower on tests of cognitive functioning, which to us, indicates there are some benefits to experiencing stress.”
Stress often comes from connection
Daily stress often comes from relationships, responsibilities, and activities that matter to us.
Arguments happen because people care. Workplace stress appears because goals and expectations exist. Even small frustrations like fixing a leaking pipe or dealing with phone issues require learning and adaptation.
“Daily stress often serves as a social magnet,” Almeida said. “When we are experiencing a stressor, we naturally want to connect with someone and seek support.”
“Daily stress also presents opportunities for new experiences and problem-solving. Even small things, like repairing a leaky pipe or fixing phone issues, engage our brains and often force us to seek help from others.”
Too much calm has costs
The study does not suggest people should seek constant stress. Severe and long-lasting stress still harms both physical and mental health.
Instead, the findings point toward moderation.
A completely friction-free life may improve emotional comfort while leaving the mind less active.
A life filled with manageable challenges may strengthen cognitive skills while creating occasional emotional strain.
Managing stress works better
Almeida advises for people to focus on the stressor and find a way to manage the problem.
“Effectively managing the problem will help you develop a sense of control over the situation and give you motivation to address it effectively,”
He also warns against avoiding stress entirely.
“I would caution people against running away from their stressors. Stress can feel horrible in the moment, but certain daily stressors are a natural part of life.”
“The best approach is to develop strategies to resolve these stressors so that the next time they happen, they won’t be as upsetting.”
The study suggests that human minds may need a certain level of challenge to stay active and sharp. Total calm may sound appealing, but complete stillness can come at a cost.
“Stress is not always a bad thing. The right kinds of challenges can motivate us, help us grow, foster wonderful relationships and push our work forward,” concluded Almeida.
The study is published in the journal Emotion.
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