Eustress

Eustressis the stress that comes with good or positive events such as a job promotion, a new romantic relationship, or starting college. It is different than the stress that comes from coping with negative events such as financial troubles, concerns about a loved one’s health, or other worries. Both types of stress cause similar physical responses such as a nervous stomach, roller-coaster emotions, and some excessive sweating. The difference is in how those responses affect the person experiencing them. Stress from negative sources usually makes it harder for the person to cope, while eustress is accompanied by positive feelings such as excitement and eagerness that help in dealing with the situation. However, both types of stress do require a certain level of self-care to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Background

The word stress has long been a scientific term used to describe the reaction when there is a source of force and some type of resistance to that force. In the mid-1900s, Austro-Hungarian endocrinologist and medical researcher Hans Selye used the term to refer to the general collection of symptoms that were common in people with a multitude of different diseases. These symptoms included lack of appetite, fatigue, and loss of interest in work and other daily functions.

Selye conducted a great deal of research using test animals and human remains on the effects illnesses, toxins, and other negative influences had on the body. He discovered that regardless of the source of the negative influence, the body responded in the same way. Selye considered this to be the same type of interaction as scientists identified between a source of force and resistance to that force and called it stress. For his work in this area, Selye is considered the founder of the science of studying stress.

During his studies, Selye noted that while the influence on the body was similar whether the source of stress was negative or positive, more positive effects were displayed in a person’s response when the source of the stress was positive. Selye differentiated the type of stress that causes distress from the good type by calling it eustress. The prefix eu- comes from Greek and means “good” or “well.”

Overview

Eustress is considered a good type of stress that makes it possible for humans to deal with challenges in life. Even though stress is usually seen as negative, a great many good happenings in life also result in a level of stress. This includes all types of positive changes such as starting a new job, moving to a new home, and having a child. It also includes taking on challenges such as competing in a sport, starting college, giving a speech, meeting new people, or beginning a new relationship. It also comes into play when someone is pushing through something that is difficult that can have a positive outcome, such as completing a difficult class, continuing with some form of therapy, or becoming more physically fit.

The difference between eustress and stress that causes distress is in how the person perceives the source of the stress. To some degree, this depends on the individual, his or her situation, and personal goals. For example, a person who is very intimidated by public speaking and intends to work in a career that will not require him or her to speak to large groups might find a public speaking class very distressing. However, a person who wants to become a politician may also be intimidated by a public speaking class but be able to channel the resulting stress into working harder and doing well. This is because the person has a different attitude about the class and sees it as a means of reaching the ultimate goal of being in politics. Similarly, a woman who is married and has enough financial resources to support a child will likely feel the excitement and eagerness that signals eustress about the coming birth of the child, while a woman who expects to raise the child alone and does not have the money to do so might feel more distress and less eustress.

Eustress is usually helpful in facing the challenges that provoke it. It can make people eager to learn things that will help them deal with the challenge, determined to persevere through any difficulties, and willing to put in the extra effort the challenge requires. Eustress can also provide the energy needed to deal with the situation. For instance, a runner who sees that he has fallen behind the leader might be stressed enough in a good way to find an extra burst of energy and strength to regain the lead.

People experiencing eustress often find it gives them confidence needed to successfully face and deal with the challenge. It is believed to enhance alertness, creativity, and memory. These are all positive effects of stress. For example, starting a new job can be stressful, but the newly hired employee can use the energy, excitement, and feeling of being eager to do well to cope with the unfamiliar aspects of the new job and begin to excel. The person will be more tuned in to the things that are being learned and more likely to remember the important aspects of new tasks, traits that will also enhance the possibility of success. In turn, the feeling of successfully facing the challenge and doing well will generate confidence that will also help with continued success.

Although eustress is considered a healthy and necessary kind of stress, all stress causes the same types of physical reactions in the body. As a result, self-care is as important for people who are experiencing positive stress as it is for those who are experiencing negative stress. It is still important to get adequate rest and to eat well so the body can recover from the physical aspects of stress. Exercise is also important, as it allows the body to use up excess levels of adrenaline that can be generated by stress.

Bibliography

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