If you’ve looked into stress at all, you probably know that there are both good and bad types. Stress is the body’s natural reaction to dangers and other bad parts, and having a certain level can motivate you. In this post, we will look at eustress, the good kind of stress.
Eustress
This is what’s also known as “good stress.” The term “stress” does have a mostly negative connotation, but it can be positive as well.
Eustress tends to be associated with fun challenges. For example, if you are moving to someplace you’ve wanted to visit, you may have a feeling of eustress. Sure, you have to pack and there are financial hurdles, but you feel so good in the process.
Same with the sensation you have whenever you’re hired for a new job. There’s stress for you to do your best, but it isn’t overwhelming you. That’s known as distress.
Distress
Distress is something that many people believe represents all stress. This is when you are overwhelmed with the demands of the world.
Distress can be what you feel when you decided to work on an exam the last minute and you hear the clock ticking. This can cause your body to shut down and make it much harder for you to perform basic tasks.
We all experience stress that is overwhelming at times, but many of us can move on from it. However, there are some who have distress after distress, which can cause several issues.
How to Tell the Two Apart
Stress and eustress may be two sides of the same coin, but they are different. The main difference is your emotional state.
When you experience eustress, you may feel excited or satisfied. You can’t wait to see how your project will turn out.
Feeling positive is good for the mind and body. You can feel content, inspired, and motivated. You may feel more confident and self-efficient. If eustress involves anything physical, you may feel bodily improvements too.
Another way to tell them apart is how realistic the project is.
A challenging project will not put you in distress; an unrealistic project will. For example, something that’s due on a deadline you can’t do. Or if you take on a project while juggling others.
Also, eustress can involve challenges or life journeys you like. Paying a big bill can be distressful, but paying for a big vacation can give you eustress.
Adding the Good and Eliminating the Bad
When it comes to stress, you want to eliminate everything that is giving you distress. For example, if you are always overwhelmed by projects, perhaps learning how to say no when you have little bandwidth is valuable.
Another way you can reduce the amount of stress is to avoid procrastination and get help whenever possible.
As for eustress, it’s important for you to take on something that is challenging and outside of your personal comfort zone, but something you enjoy.
Taking a challenge and breaking it down into smaller goals may be one way that you do this.
Practicing mindfulness is also important when it comes to the stresses you cannot control. Focusing on the present, what you can control, is one such solution.
Ultimately, in order to experience eustress, you must first curb your distress. While most people cannot be distress-free, there are some steps that you can take in order to have as little stress as possible.
More Examples of Good Stress
With that said, let’s show some more examples of what constitutes good stress versus bad.
- A date. Having a potential relationship can make you feel butterflies in your stomach, and you may feel some stress about the date going well, but it is mostly a positive experience.
- Putting together a puzzle. All those pieces can be a tad overwhelming, but once it all starts to come together, you will have a smile on your face as you finish everything.
- Managing a workout plan. There are some stresses when working out or losing weight, but by breaking everything into easy-to-digest goals, it can make you feel some sensations of euphoria.
- Finally, anything that makes you feel happy and gives you positive pressure to do your best is a good example of positive stress.
A Diagnosis Can Help
If you are suffering from too much stress, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Plus, bad stress can make you tired, unable to concentrate, and make you feel like you have no control.
Before you overwhelm yourself, it is important for you to get a diagnosis. One way is through Mind Diagnostics, which can help you if you need some teletherapy. Click this link below for more information:
https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/stress
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