By Michele Reger
“I’m under so much stress!” “This is totally stressing me out!” Stress is as much a part of our conversations as the weather, but exactly what are we talking about? What is stress? According to The Cleveland Clinic, stress is “a natural human state that prompts physical, emotional, and behavioral responses toward life situations and events.” Generally, stress has a negative implication due to the adverse effects on our health; we encounter episodes of acute stress (traumatic events, upcoming deadlines) or we ineffectively manage chronic stress (work pressure, strained relationships). Exercise, support systems, prayer or meditation, and quality rest are management strategies, and April is Stress Awareness Month, making this a great time to explore strategies like these to manage the effects of negative stress. But, did you know there is a form of stress that actually has positive implications? What prompts us to perform at our best? What builds our resilience? What improves our focus and achievement? As odd as it seems, it’s stress!
In the 1970’s, Dr. Hans Selye, a Viennese scientist known as the “founder of the stress theory,” coined the term “eustress” to describe the positive form of stress that motivates and energizes us. Eustress (“eu” meaning “good”) opposes distress (negative stress leading to anxiety, burnout, and health problems). While distress creates overwhelm and helplessness, eustress creates interest and excitement. It’s the feeling we get when we’re on the edge of achieving something or working toward a goal that excites us. This type of stress encourages growth, performance, and motivation rather than feelings of dread or exhaustion which are linked to what we typically call stress. Eustress evokes healthy, uplifting physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to situations that require effort or concentration. It is typically short-term, so we experience it in manageable doses, and we associate it with situations we perceive as challenging yet still within our abilities to handle. Eustress includes experiences like public performances or competitions, tests and exams, job interviews, or preparing for life changes like planning a wedding or moving into a new home.
So, if eustress is the opposite of distress, it must have positive benefits, right? The American Psychological Association notes that eustress creates positive physiological and cognitive changes, allowing for optimal levels of performance. Eustress provides benefits for both body and mind. When we experience eustress, adrenaline and cortisol are released at healthy levels, so we feel alert and focused. In increased heart rate, activated muscles, and sharpened attention all serve our capacity to function with intention and concentration in challenging situations. These physiological responses improve productivity and task completion, especially when we engage in positive self-talk, honoring each step of our process.
Eustress builds resilience. When we face challenges that are demanding but manageable, we develop confidence and flexibility as well as coping mechanisms, making us more capable of handling future stressors with grace and composure. Emotionally, eustress brings feelings of excitement, anticipation, and fulfillment, which are empowering for us as we tackle the challenge at hand. A sense of accomplishment is vital for our mental well-being, motivating us to grow and succeed in future endeavors.
To stress the point, stress is not always negative. The difference between eustress and distress lies in our perception of the stressor and the level of control we feel over the situation. Distress occurs when we feel overwhelmed or unable to cope, while eustress arises when we view challenges as opportunities for growth and success. Saying, “This is stressing me out!” sounds like an odd way to express excitement, but it isn’t wrong.
