Stronger through Stress (Column)

Published by Forum Communications' Echo Press on Dec. 11, 2022.

As I get further and deeper into adulthood, one thing is apparent — it's stressful.

Whether it's dealing with finances, parenthood or work, there seems to be no shortage (or end) to stress. But, stress doesn't have to be a bad thing. Stress is actually necessary for growth and improvement and we can see this in the natural world.

Plants that grow outside tend to be stronger than those grown indoors. How? Well, when a plant is outside it is exposed to the elements, like the wind for instance. The stress from the blowing wind causes the plant to go into survival mode because it knows it is at risk of being uprooted or its stem being snapped. So the plant digs its roots deeper and its stem becomes thicker and stronger. It is actually recommended that if you grow indoors, use a fan to mimic the wind.

We see this in evolution too. When animals evolved, they didn't do so because they wanted to, they had to because of the stress in their environment. Evolution is adaptation. When animals were put into an environment they wouldn't normally survive in, they began to change. Stress from changing climates caused some animals to (over time) develop hair or fur when it became cold or to lose it when it got hotter. Now, evolution is most of the time a slow process but that doesn't mean it isn't happening all the time.

An article from Smithsonian Magazine talks about how pink salmon are migrating earlier due to the stresses of rising temperatures.

"Environmental factors often drive migratory behavior patterns in animals," the article states. "For salmon, migration is crucial to their survival as a species, because the fish swim from the ocean and up freshwater streams to spawn."

Studies found that the salmon are migrating about two weeks earlier than they were 40 years ago. Genetic and migratory data collected between 1983 and 2011, found that the frequency of a genetic marker for late migration had a significant drop.

"By 2011, late migrating fish only made up about 10% of the population," the article states. "Over that same time period, the local water temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius on average, an uptick that’s linked to climate change. The researchers argue that earlier migrating fish are better fit to handle warmer waters."

Another species mentioned is the Tawny Owl of Finland and how it has adapted its natural camouflage from pale gray to brown due to rising temperatures. Their pale gray camouflage helped to conceal their presence from prey in snowy conditions. In order to adapt and survive, their color is changing with their less snowy environment.

That is how stress pushes us to evolve — to survive. Not all animals evolve and those are the ones that usually go extinct.

When dealing with life's stresses, don't let it kill you — literally or metaphorically. Instead, grow from it. Become stronger because of it. Survive and be an example to others around you. Show them that even the toughest moments in life can be beneficial, which leads me to trauma.

Trauma is Greek for "wound" and if wounds heal properly, what happens? The skin around a healed scar becomes, maybe a little sensitive, but also thicker and tougher. Trauma or stress to bare feet will cause them to callous, which in turn does what? Makes them thicker and able to withstand harsher impacts.

At some point, we all will have to deal with some sort of trauma. Give yourself time to heal but persevere so you become stronger, just like the healed scar. If you choose to let the trauma and stress in your life define you, you will remain a victim and never truly survive. Like a scabbed wound that keeps getting picked, it will never heal.

It will be hard, no doubt about that. But it's usually the road less traveled that has the best views.