Good Stress vs Bad Stress

To appreciate the difference between what we might call 'good stress' versus 'bad stress', we need to revisit the work of Professor Hans Selye (pron. "Sell-yay").

Dr Selye was a pioneering Hungarian-Canadian endocrinologist, best known for his work on the biological stress response and for introducing the concept of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).

He is often referred to as the father of stress research. Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Slovakia) in 1907, Selye made significant contributions to our understanding of how the body reacts to prolonged stress, laying the groundwork for modern stress research.

Key Contributions:

1. General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Selye's most famous theory, which describes how the body responds to stress in three stages:

  - Alarm: The body’s initial reaction to stress, activating the fight-or-flight response.

  - Resistance: The body attempts to cope with the stressor and adapt, maintaining a state of heightened alertness.

  - Exhaustion: If the stress continues too long, the body's resources become depleted, leading to burnout, illness, or even death.

2. Distress and Eustress: Selye differentiated between **distress** (harmful stress) and **eustress** (positive, beneficial stress). This distinction helped clarify that not all stress is damaging; some stress can be motivating and contribute to personal growth.

3. Stress Research: Selye's work was foundational in demonstrating that stress is a biological process that affects all living organisms. He explored how stress contributes to diseases and health conditions, linking chronic stress with heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health issues.

Distress and Eustress

Distress

Definition: Distress is the type of stress that is harmful and has a negative impact on your physical or mental health.

Characteristics:

• It often arises from negative or threatening situations such as heavy workloads, personal conflicts, financial problems, or loss.
• Distress can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, frustration, and helplessness.
• Long-term exposure to distress can cause serious health problems such as chronic anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and other stress-related illnesses.

Example:

Missing a work deadline, being in a toxic work environment, or dealing with a serious illness are examples of distress.

Eustress

Definition: Eustress is the positive form of stress that motivates and energizes you. It's associated with challenges that are seen as opportunities for growth and achievement.

Characteristic:

• Eustress typically comes from positive situations, such as taking on a new project, preparing for a presentation, or training for a marathon.
• It encourages personal development and performance enhancement. Eustress helps build resilience, makes you feel more fulfilled, and promotes well-being.
• Unlike distress, eustress is invigorating and can lead to feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment when managed effectively.

Example:

Getting a promotion at work, planning a wedding, or preparing for a competition are examples of eustress.

The Key Differences

• Emotional Impact: Distress leads to negative emotions like anxiety or frustration, while eustress produces positive emotions such as excitement and fulfillment.
• Outcome: Distress can harm your health and performance, while eustress can enhance your well-being, productivity, and resilience.
  

Main Takeouts

Dr Selye's distinction between these two forms of stress highlights that not all stress is bad. Eustress plays a vital role in motivating people to grow, take risks, and achieve their goals, while distress is something to be managed or avoided to prevent burnout and health issues.

Find out more about managing your stress.