Foreign thinker
Kelly McGonigal
Kelly McGonigalHealth PsychologyAmerican
Stress happens when something you care about is at stake. It's not a sign to run away — it's a sign to step forward.
Life and Thought
Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and Stanford University lecturer known for translating findings from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies for well-being. With books like "The Willpower Instinct" and "The Upside of Stress," along with her widely viewed TED talk on stress, she is considered a leading figure in the field of "science-help." Her research focuses on willpower, stress, movement, and compassion.
Kelly McGonigal was born on October 21, 1977. She earned a BA in Psychology and Mass Communication from Boston University and a PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. McGonigal is a lecturer in psychology at Stanford, where she teaches popular public courses on the science of willpower and living with stress.
She is a pioneer in the field of "science-help," which aims to translate scientific insights into practical tools for health and well-being. Her book "The Willpower Instinct" (2012) is based on her university course and explores the mechanisms of self-control, temptation, and strengthening willpower. In "The Upside of Stress" (2015), she challenges the common view that stress is entirely harmful, showing how changing one's mindset about stress can transform it into a source of courage, connection, and meaning.
Her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," has garnered millions of views. Her subsequent book, "The Joy of Movement," examines the role of exercise in combating depression, anxiety, and loneliness. McGonigal is also active in the fields of yoga, mindfulness, and compassion, and has served on advisory boards for organizations related to yoga for vulnerable populations.
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