Not all stress is bad — Health expert

Medical health practitioner, Dr Paulina Mefia-Denteh, has indicated that stress is often blamed for poor health and emotional burnout, but not all stress is harmful.

She explained that in some cases, it can even be beneficial.

Speaking on GhanaWeb TV’s Health Focus, Dr Paulina Mefia-Denteh explained that there is an aspect of stress she termed as positive stress, which helps people stay focused and productive.

“Not all stress is harmful,” she said.

She explained that this type of stress can push individuals to meet deadlines, prepare for exams, or perform well in decisive situations.

“That stress hormone is being activated like, ‘Hey, I have work to do… I have to meet this deadline,’” she said.

For students preparing for exams or professionals racing against time to meet targets, this kind of pressure can serve as motivation rather than a burden.

However, she cautioned that the key lies in balance, ensuring that stress does not spiral into something overwhelming.

“We are not here to eliminate stress entirely… we just have to make sure that it doesn’t work against us, but works well for us,” she added.

The discussion also highlighted how stress affects men and women differently.

According to her, women tend to internalise stress, leading to anxiety and depression, while men often externalise it through anger or withdrawal.

Despite these differences, she stressed that everyone needs support and effective coping strategies.

“They need to stay in check, relax, and be able to regulate and manage their stress,” she advised.

NA/VPO

Understanding stress and managing it the right way