Hi, dear reader! How are you today? Do you know, what is the difference between good and bad stress? Yes, stress can sometimes be good, and especially in the distant past, it helped humans to survive. I am sure you want to know the difference and how you can avoid bad stress and live a happier life.
Let’s explore this interesting subject! I am curious myself to get to know more about good and bad stress. Are you?
Sometimes I can’t see the difference because stress makes me feel terrible. That is the reason, why I decided to write this article in the first place, and people need to know about it. You need to know. Are you ready?
So what is the Difference Between Good and Bad Stress?
Everyone experiences stress in his or her life, and I think that we can’t fully avoid stress. I am sure that you think of stress as something negative, bad. You believe that stress is something you need to avoid, if you can. Yes, it seems that way. Right? But yet, stress is not always bad.
There is a difference between good and bad stress. However, it is often difficult to determine which one you experience. Why? It is because each person reacts to different situations in a way that is unique to them.
Only you can know what kind of stress you are feeling. If you feel motivated, it is good stress. But if you are tired and unenthusiastic, you are under bad stress. Let’s explore a little more about these types of stresses! Shall we?
What is Bad Stress?
Bad stress can also be called distress that could impact your life badly and is terrible for your health and well-being. It is hard to complete tasks that you need to finish.
Distress affects the body’s immune system and leads to illnesses like flu and colds. If you experience chronic stress, you even gain weight, suffer from memory loss or heart disease.
Why do we experience bad stress? There are many reasons such as demands in the work environment or at home, loss of loved ones and troubles in relationships.
Distress makes you anxious and worried all the time.
What is Good Stress?
Good stress is also called eustress, and this type of stress can be beneficial because it motivates you. You often experience good stress, and it is short-term. Eustress inspires you to complete your goals and tasks that can lead to fulfillment and more happiness.
When are you experiencing good stress? Good stress occurs when you need the motivation to overcome something. It can be a deadline for a project, essay or presentation. Eustress helps when you are preparing for an exam, test or giving a speech.
When you accomplish your goals, you feel relaxed and fulfilled.
I think good stress for me is something that encourages me to better myself and to motivate me to want to get up and do something rather than cause me to be paralyzed and not be able to function. – Dr. Jason Hunziker
How To Keep Bad Stress Away?
I am not sure that you can fully keep bad stress away, but you can learn how to reduce stress. There are various ways to do it and protect yourself from consequences of stress.
Breathing and Meditation. Breathing regulates your nervous system, but meditation, in my opinion, is the best way to reduce stress, anxiety, feel good, love yourself and others.
Physical activity is a great way to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Laughter. Who doesn’t know that laughter is the best medicine? Laughter can reduce your body’s production of cortisol and in that way relieve stress.
Conclusion
If you want to be happy and healthy, it’s essential to understand, what is the difference between good and bad stress. In that way, you can manage stress better.
Distress is bad for your health, but eustress can inspire and motivate you to accomplish more goals and tasks.
What helps you to reduce stress? Let me know below!
Learn how to keep bad stress away, CLICK HERE Now for more information.
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Until next time!
Linda Mo
Founder of How To Reduce Stress Naturally
Great article. I try and use meditation to relieve stress and walk and enjoy sceneries. I also learned to stop striving. You have some good tips!
Thanks, Dave! Meditation is one of the best ways to reduce stress, and I am glad that you use it. But walking always lifts up my mood an make me more relaxed.
Thank you for your comment!
The way you define good stress, I would equate good stress with following a passion, since both are inner feelings directed at the intent. Then again, I supppose good stress could be a feeling one would get after hitting the lottery?
Hi, Maurice! Yes, it could be. At least, it seems that way.
Only recently I found out what good stress means.
Great information, thanks for sharing it. Personally I go for walks, not necessarily a long one maybe 30 minutes. I try to go daily. It has an amazing effect on me definitely works. What is your “go to” for stress relief? Thanks again for sharing this great info.
Thank you, Bill! 🙂
I agree. Walking has great benefits. I always feel more relaxed afterward.
Meditation, walking, reading, and creative activities (painting, writing) are one of the best ways to reduce stress for me.
Thanks very much for sharing this article on stress Linda. I am a stressed person which results in me having the tendency of having psoriasis flareups. Although it is not yet totally proven that stress can cause psoriasis, personally I believe it does. Anyway, a couple of years ago I was terribly stressed and tried to find how to reduce my stress level. I discovered that acupuncture could be a good remedy (I must tell you that I am all for natural treatments), but it is not always accessible. But I discovered an alternative which works as well and it is acupressure, which you can perform yourself at any time and anywhere. That works extremely well for me. Whenever I have a bad stress attack, I perform my favorite acupressure act, and in seconds I am back to normal.
I look forward to your future very interesting articles Linda, and I wish you the best of health.
John ツ
Hi, John! Thank you for your comment!Thanks for sharing your story!
I think that stress causes many illnesses, and of course, stress can be the cause of psoriasis. It is great that you found a remedy that helps you to reduce stress. I need to know a little bit more about acupressure. Can you share, what is your favorite acupressure act?
Thanks! It means a lot to me. 🙂
Hi Linda. Thanks for writing this article which I found interesting. Stress is all around us and we do need some of it in our lives, but not when it overwhelms us and causes us angst. I’m a great believer in the power of meditation and breathing and practice this everyday in order to manage stress in my life so thanks for the reminder. Hope you have a stress-free day. :_
Hi, Gail! Thanks! 🙂
Yes, stress can cause many problems in our daily lives, and that is why we need to think about ways to manage it. But sometimes stress can help us grow.
Thanks!
Very Interesting! I never thought about good stress, always associated it with something negative.
What works for me is having my quiet place or go somewhere like a cafe and near the beach. Basically doing something opposite of what is causing the stress. For example, if its work stress, going to a cafe reading a fiction book helps a lot (basically a change of scenery).
Hi, Dira! I also didn’t think about it before.
Great! Oh, I love to read books, and reading also helps with stress relief.
Thanks for your comment!