Episode 495: Transform Stress to Work for You

What if stress isn’t the enemy—but the key to unlocking your best self?Host Rebecca Greene sits down with stress physiologist and former high school teacher Dr. Rebecca Heiss for an eye-opening conversation on how to transform stress from a burden into a superpower. Drawing from her groundbreaking research and her new book Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You, Dr. Heiss shares simple, science-backed strategies for parents and kids to reframe stress as fuel for growth. Together, they discuss why “calm down” is the worst advice you can give, how to turn nervous energy into excitement, and how to make stress a teacher rather than a threat. Key Takeaways → Stress is a barometer for how much we care—it gives meaning and purpose to life. → Teach kids the “Tiger Check”: ask, “Is this going to kill me in 3 minutes?” to reset perspective. → Replace “Calm down” with “Get excited!” to reframe the body’s stress response. → Use the 3-minute “Worry Dump” to release anxiety and shift into action. → Post-traumatic growth is real—stress can become the foundation for confidence and connection. → Service to others is the most powerful stress-reliever, activating the courage hormone oxytocin. Quote:“It’s not the stress that’s killing you—it’s how you think about it.” – Dr. Rebecca Heiss Call to Action:Listen now to learn how to make stress your ally, not your enemy—and help your kids do the same. Find Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You wherever books are sold or visit rebeccaheiss.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices