Optimizing Stress to Enhance Learning

Stress can have beneficial and harmful effects on learning. Due to their individual characteristics and past experiences, different individuals respond differently to similar stressful situations. Beck and colleagues' article entitled "Can stress be good for learning? Pediatric resident perspectives on the beneficial influence of stress on learning and the role of the supervisor" discusses trainee perspectives on supervisor behaviors that can shape better learning experiences. In this Invited Commentary, the authors not only discuss the role of stress in learning, including positive effects as highlighted by Beck et al, but also emphasize the importance of creating an optimal learning environment that incorporates stressful experiences. The authors share insights on how supervisors can model a growth mindset and create a psychologically safe environment in view of ongoing stressors that helps build a trusting and mutually respectful relationship with their learners. This approach can foster an environment that is conducive to trainee's individual learning styles and maximizes their learning.