good stress vs bad stress

stress is a necessary biological function just like eating and sleeping. Being able to determine what is considered “good” or “bad” stress is vital to managing your health. Eustress is a short-term natural effect and can provide protective and beneficial effects that we often take for granted. It motivates us, keeps us energized, enhances performance, and more. we often feel eustress when we feel that nervousness or excitement right before a big game, a first date, or riding a roller coaster. Our fight-or-flight response is a good example of this when our body uses it at appropriate times. fight-or-flight is our body’s way of keeping us safe and physically motivating us to survive. The issue that many people struggle with is chronic stress and anxiety. helpful stress was meant to help us during times of danger, but the modern world has more complex problems that we worry about. whether it is work issues, climate change, economic hardship, political strife, social media, or family concerns, it is no wonder why we are all constantly worried or stressed. While it feels like the world is falling apart around us, it is easy to fall into a spiral of stress and anxiety, and it takes a toll on our body. Chronic stress can exacerbate already present issues as well as create new ones, such as heart disease, depression, worsened immune system, cancer, and more.

resilience

worrying: helpful vs unhelpful anxiety

managing distress and utilizing eustress

the physical, behavioral and psychological side effects of good and bad stress

strategies to help reduce stress: identifying stressors

reducing stress and strengthening our resilience to it is the first step to healthier and happier lives. breathing techniques as well as practicing mindfulness are easy ways to train the body to decompress. exercise, yoga and meditation can also help us relax during stressful times. being able to identify what are our common stressors is an important step towards reducing stress. often times it can be your work, relationships, finances, fears, diagnoses, and more. finding the root of your worries can help us know where to start in leading a stress free life.

practice page for managing stress page