Can caring during stressful times create resilience?
Typically during times of stress men often disappear into their offices or quiet spaces very contrary to women who tend to react by baking cookies for someone or caring for others.
Often research shows that stress leads to aggression and hiding out during times of stress but this wasn’t the research that Laura Cousino Klein was gathering.
She quickly noticed that almost 90% of stress research was done on males. Equally true of animals and humans.
As she studied the social side of stress, it was noticed that stress can increase caring, compassion and cooperation.
When women are under perceived stress they show an increase in tending and befriending often via children.
And much to her delight she discovered that stress in men is unleashed into instinctive protection of their tribe of family and friends.
So this leads to the question how can we cultivate a tend and befriend mind state?
Focusing on bigger than self goals. Supporting others Choosing to see stress and human suffering as part of a common human experience.
The impulse to connect is both a natural response to stress and a source of resilience.
Also the act of helping others even protects against the harmful effects of chronic or traumatic stress.
Caring creates resilience.
Your ‘easy to talk to’ therapist,
Kimberly Castle R.T.C
Kimberly Castle is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with a private practice in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She focuses on empowering individuals in all areas of their life. In her practice she works with individuals who have experienced trauma related symptoms, anxiety and depression. She also offers couples counselling and enjoys working with couples to expand their relationships.
