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Apr 26, 2023 · There are subtle yet important differences between distress and stress. At its most basic, stress is simply a reaction to a situation that calls for a reaction. In the 1960s, Hungarian endocrinologist Hans Selye defined stress as “the non-specific responses of the body to any demand for change.”.
Stress was generally considered as being synonymous with distress and dictionaries defined it as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension” or “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.”
Another popular definition of stress is, “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.”. Most people consider the definition of stress to be something that causes distress.
– Introduction to Psychology. What Is Stress? Learning Objectives. Differentiate between stimulus-based and response-based definitions of stress. Define stress as a process. Differentiate between good stress and bad stress. Describe the early contributions of Walter Cannon and Hans Selye to the stress research field.
- Overview
- What Is Good Stress?
- How Can Good Stress Be Beneficial?
- Examples of Good Stress
- How Good Stress Can Become Bad Stress
- How Bad Stress Can Become Good Stress
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While we often think of stress as something negative to be avoided, it is a natural and expected part of daily life. You might be surprised to hear that some stress is actually considered "good stress." Also known as eustress, it is the type of stress you might feel before a first date or important competition.
When we feel good stress, our heart rate increases, our breathing rate increases, and we feel a thrill of excitement. It's a short-term change in our bodies that helps us to feel prepared, energized, and ready to perform at our best.
We rarely hear people say, "I'm really feeling stressed. Isn't that great?" But we'd feel rudderless and unhappy if we didn't have some stress in our lives—the "good stress" variety. If we define stress as anything that alters our homeostasis, then good stress, in its many forms, is vital for a healthy life. Bad stress, or distress, can even turn into good stress and vice versa, depending on the situation.
At a Glance
Good stress helps you feel excited and energized, and it's important to have it in your life. While bad stress can harm your health, good stress can promote well-being. Changing your perception of stress can help. So can adding positive activities to promote eustress (aka, the good kind of stress). Together, these strategies help you create a healthy balance in your life.
"Good stress," or what psychologists refer to as "eustress," is the type of stress we feel when we are excited. Our pulse quickens and our hormones surge, but there is no threat or fear.
We feel this type of stress when we ride a roller coaster, compete for a promotion, or go on a first date. There are many triggers for this good stress, and it keeps us feeling alive and excited about life.
A certain level of stress helps keep your mind and body alert and ready to respond. It can be motivating and help you perform your best.
According to Yerkes-Dodson law, stress can improve performance--at least, up to a certain point. Once you pass that point, stress can take a toll on your ability to perform well.
How exactly can stress be helpful? When you feel excited about something, your more likely to feel alert and motivated. It can improve your mood and help you perform your best. But those aren't the only benefits.
•Cognitive benefits: Research suggests that short-term stress positively impacts memory. This can be useful in some situations, such as when taking an exam.
•Better resilience: When you face a stressful situation, it can help you learn more about yourself, your skills, and your limits. As you learn more about what you are capable of, you're more likely to feel able to handle such situations in the future.
•Stronger immunity: While bad stress hurts your immune system, some research indicates that short-term stressors can help improve your body's ability to deal with illness and injury. In one study, for example, researchers found that short-term stress improves immunity in people with infections or wounds.
Yes, you can add good stress to your life! Ideally, you choose activities and set goals that make you feel good, happy, and excited. To gauge whether or not an activity is worth your time, pay attention to how the thought of it makes you feel.
Do you feel excited? Is it a "want to," or a "have to"? Be sure your "want to" activities are all things you really do want to do, and your "have to" activities are all absolutely necessary.
Examples of ways you can create more good stress in your life include:
•Taking on work projects that you are excited about: These projects allow you to use your strengths but also challenge you to learn new things.
•Learning more about something that you are passionate about: Hobbies and personal interests can be a great source of eustress. You might try out new skills or try out new things that hold your interest and challenge your current abilities.
•Engaging in physical exercise: Moving your body can be a form of good stress. As you keep working, you can add challenges that help build your physical strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Good stress can become bad for you if you experience too much of it. (Thrill seekers know this firsthand.) This is because your stress response is triggered either way, and if you're adding that to chronic stress, or several other stressors, there is a cumulative effect.
Be in tune with yourself and acknowledge when you've had too much. You may not be able to eliminate all stress, but there are often ways to minimize or avoid some of the stress in your life, which can make it easier to handle the rest.
Not all forms of bad stress can become good stress, but it is possible to change your perception of some of the stressors in your life. This shift can change your experience of stress.
The body reacts strongly to perceived threats. If you don't perceive something as a threat, there is generally no threat-based stress response.
If you perceive something as a challenge instead, the fear you normally experience may turn into excitement, anticipation, or at least resolve. You can often make the shift in perception by:
•Focusing on the resources you have to meet the challenge
•Seeing the potential benefits of a situation
•Reminding yourself of your strengths
- Elizabeth Scott, Phd
Jan 29, 2010 · Stressors, stress, and distress | Psychology Today. Nancy Darling Ph.D. Thinking About Kids. Stressors, stress, and distress. Experienced distress depends both on objective...
Oct 26, 2023 · Sharon Theimer. October 26, 2023. Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert describes signs and symptoms of stress overload. LONDON — It may be surprising to hear, but medically speaking, not all stress is bad. Healthy stress levels help build resilience, says Safia Debar, MBBS, a stress management expert at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.
