The Good and Bad in Stress. What’s The Difference?
Hold on, before we start. You might be shocked at this, but most of us may think that stress is only bad for us, how can it be good? What is good or bad stress? Stress is a natural thing to experience. It is a part of our response regarding certain activities or factors.
In fact, the pressure we get from it can help us exert more energy and focus on certain things. However, it is important for us to understand the difference between both types to better understand the essence of stress.
The Good
The kind of stress that may not be known to help us grow more is good stress. It motivates and enhances our weak points and difficulties. The main thing to point out in identifying that stress is good is if the challenge you face seems achievable. In addition, it also would not take much from you because the feeling can only be temporary doing the challenge.
Basically, the mood and vibe you get out of the result rank higher than the hard building blocks to achieve the result. Kind of like tipping the weighing scale in your favor.
Eustress is another term for the good version of it. An example of the good version of it is that it provides excitement that we commonly experience through first dates, theme parks, or the anticipation of a problem, etc. It is this type of stress that leads to you doing something that will give you satisfaction in the end. Then what you feel is definitely the positive version. Even though the hormones of it flood your mind and body, it does not do any actual distress or harm in the end.
The Bad
Bad stress is the type that makes you fatigued all of the time. It can lead to other effects such as anxiety and confusion. Moreover, it can prove itself harmful because it does not give you a chance to respond to the aftereffects of the stressful experience. You always will be under the constant experience of distress from your hormones.
There are two versions of the bad type of stress. The acute and the chronic. The acute version does not do that much harm to the body. The chronic version is a long experience of bad stress that leads to negative health effects. It can lead to weight gain, insomnia, pain, etc. You may also know if the stress is harmful if it leads to your functioning routine, where it affects how you go through your day.
Situation
A situation of difference between them would be when you anticipate that the professor will be handing out a surprise test so you focus and study beforehand which leads to good stress that will increase your performance studying. However, it can become a bad type of stress when you constantly feel the experience of it, when the professor provides never-ending surprise tests that can affect your mental and physical state of performing your study habits.
All in all, the good type gives you a satisfying feeling when you finish, while the bad type does not, and leaves you exhausted after accomplishment.
Stress can be sometimes beneficial. Not all of it is bad for you. Knowing the impacts, anticipating them, and being able to manage when necessary are the most crucial things to do when you are faced with a stressful circumstance. Stress is essential because growth is something we all require. However, if stress prevents growth, it must be managed as soon as possible.
