Resources  email page print page Basic Information Introduction and the Nature of StressThe Biology of StressThe Fours Stages of A Stress ReactionOther Important Biological Systems That Help Regulate Stress ReactionsFactors Influencing the Stress Response Types of Stressors (Eustress vs. Distress)Factors Determining Whether Stressors are Experienced as Negative or PositiveSelf-Efficacy and the Perception of Control in Stress ReductionThe Long-Term Consequences of Negative StressMental and Emotional Impact of StressSocial Impact of StressMethods of Stress ReductionMeditation for Stress ReductionKinetic (Movement) Strategies for Stress ReliefYoga, Pilates and Tai Chi for Stress ReductionProgressive Muscle Relaxation for Stress ReductionAlexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Massage, Reiki and Acupuncture Stress Reduction TechniquesMedication Strategies for Stress ReliefPsychological Strategies for Reducing StressCognitive Therapy Techniques for Stress ReductionCognitive Distortions Affecting StressDysfunctional Beliefs Affecting StressCognitive RestructuringDistraction and Humor in Stress ReductionVisualization and Guided Imagery Techniques for Stress ReductionHypnosis and Autogenic Training for Stress ReductionEnvironmental, Social and Spiritual Strategies for Stress ReliefThe Vitality of Natural Environments for Stress ReductionFood and Pets as Stress Relief ToolsSocialization and Altruistic Acts as Stress ReliefReligious/Spiritual Practice for Stress ReductionStress Prevention Stress Prevention: A Values Clarification ExerciseTime Management to Prevent StressAssertiveness and Interpersonal Boundaries in Stress ReductionStress Inoculation Therapy Developing a Personalized Stress Prevention PlanDeveloping a Stress Prevention Plan Part 2Selecting Methods and Making a Commitment in Stress PreventionTracking Your Progress and Maintaining Your Gains in Stress PreventionAdditional Stress Reduction and Prevention Resources More Information A Primer on Coping (and some Holiday applications)An Evaluation of Self Help Books and AffirmationsBack to "Reality" and "Relaxation": R & R for Healing Body and Brain StrainBurnout SeriesDesigning a Receptive and Reflective Incubation Vacation: The Stress Doc's Prescriptive Interventions for Uncommon R & REscaping Early Black Hole Burnout: Parts 1 & 2Exercise: Feeling Fit For LifeFaking It - Part IIFull Court Pressure for A Varsity SeniorGood Medicine, A Stroll In the ParkHow to Practice Safe Stress Interview with "The Stress Doc" ™Insufficient Arousal - Activation: From Emptiness to InertiaLiberal morality versus conservative morality: Understanding the difference can help you avoid argumentsPractice Safe Stress for the HolidaysPurposeful and Playful Workshop Exercises and StrategiesRebuilding the Fire: From Burnout To Break OutStress and the Developing BrainStress and Women's HealthStress Doc's Stress Smoke SignalsStress Management TechniquesThe Four Stages of Burnout Latest News Chocolate Soothes the Stressed-Out SoulHealth Tip: Sources of Childhood StressAfter Age 55, Workplace Stress Seems to DeclineStudy Upends Comfort-Food TheorySocial Isolation Adversely Affects Breast CancerBad Economy Really Hurts Some FolksHow to De-Stress a Recession-Riddled LifeAn Online Guide to Cope With Recession-Related StressJob Losses Carry High 'Stress Tag'Tweaking Hormones Might Ease Chronic Stress Questions and Answers I Love Her, but I Want That Spark BackPTSDElderly ParentsAm I Crazy?ConcernedDisconnectedI'm overemotional! 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Coping with the Challenges of Daily StressesNew and Improved Stress Reduction Topic CenterToo Muchness: When Life Gets to Feeling Like it's All Too MuchBurnout, What It Is and What To Do About ItMaintaining Mental Health During the HolidaysStress and Obesity, It's Official: Relaxation is Necessary for HealthI Want to ForgetMen and Anger and Heart Disease RevisitedMeditation: More BenefitsOur Fast Paced LivesWhy Do You Wash the Dishes?Humor Is A Laughing MatterDogs, Social Support and Health: A Winning CombinationBurnout SeriesPurposeful and Playful Workshop Exercises and StrategiesHow to Practice Safe Stress Interview with "The Stress Doc" ™Stress Doc's Stress Smoke SignalsPractice Safe Stress for the HolidaysA Primer on Coping (and some Holiday applications)Designing a Receptive and Reflective Incubation Vacation: The Stress Doc's Prescriptive Interventions for Uncommon R & RBack to "Reality" and "Relaxation": R & R for Healing Body and Brain StrainInsufficient Arousal - Activation: From Emptiness to InertiaFull Court Pressure for A Varsity SeniorThe Four Stages of BurnoutFaking It - Part IIRebuilding the Fire: From Burnout To Break OutEscaping Early Black Hole Burnout: Parts 1 & 2 Videos The Relationship Stress Test VideoSpotting the Signs of Stress VideoDealing With Stress VideoStress and Heart Disease: What is the Connection?Mental Gymnastics: How Does Stress Hurt Your Athletic Performance?Staying Healthy Through Stress ReductionJob Stress: How to Keep Your CoolThe Link Between Stress and DepressionTerror Related StressJob Stress and High Blood PressurePost Holiday Blues Links [2] Articles[1] Associations[2] Government[8] Information[1] Journals[1] Self-Help[11] Videos Book Reviews Anxiety, Phobias, and PanicChange Your ThinkingDe-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy StepsEmotions, Stress, and HealthKnowing the Nature of FearKundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress DVDLearn to RelaxMeditation for Optimum HealthMeditation in a New York MinuteStressStress Relief to GoStress Survival GuideThe Joy of MeditatingThe Spa DeckThe Stress Owner's Manual

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We mentioned it earlier and it bears repeating: stress is not always a bad thing. Stress is simply the body's response to changes that create taxing demands. The previously mentioned Dr. Lazarus (building on Dr. Selye's work) suggested that there is a difference between eustress, which is a term for positive stress, and distress, which refers to negative stress. In daily life, we often use the term "stress" to describe negative situations. This leads many people to believe that all stress is bad for you, which is not true. Eustress, or positive stress, has the following characteristics: 

• Motivates, focuses energy
• Is short-term
• Is perceived as within our coping abilities
• Feels exciting
• Improves performance

In contrast, Distress, or negative stress, has the following characteristics:

• Causes anxiety or concern
• Can be short- or long-term
• Is perceived as outside of our coping abilities
• Feels unpleasant
• Decreases performance
• Can lead to mental and physical problems

It is somewhat hard to categorize stressors into objective lists of those that cause eustress and those that cause distress, because different people will have different reactions to particular situations. However, by generalizing, we can compile a list of stressors that are typically experienced as negative or positive to most people, most of the time.

Examples of negative personal stressors include:

• The death of a spouse
• Filing for divorce
• Losing contact with loved ones
• The death of a family member
• Hospitalization (oneself or a family member)
• Injury or illness (oneself or a family member)
• Being abused or neglected
• Separation from a spouse or committed relationship partner
• Conflict in interpersonal relationships
• Bankruptcy/Money Problems
• Unemployment
• Sleep problems
• Children's problems at school
• Legal problems

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Examples of positive personal stressors include:

• Receiving a promotion or raise at work
• Starting a new job
• Marriage
• Buying a home
• Having a child
• Moving
• Taking a vacation
• Holiday seasons
• Retiring
• Taking educational classes or learning a new hobby

Work and employment concerns such as those listed below are also frequent causes of distress:

• Excessive job demands
• Job insecurity
• Conflicts with teammates and supervisors
• Inadequate authority necessary to carry out tasks
• Lack of training necessary to do the job
• Making presentations in front of colleagues or clients
• Unproductive and time-consuming meetings
• Commuting and travel schedules

Stressors are not always limited to situations where some external situation is creating a problem. Internal events such as feelings and thoughts and habitual behaviors can also cause negative stress.

Common internally caused sources of distress include:

• Fears: (e.g., fears of flying, heights, public speaking, chatting with strangers at a party)
• Repetitive Thought Patterns:
• Worrying about future events (e.g., waiting for medical test results or job restructuring)
• Unrealistic, perfectionist expectations

Habitual behavior patterns that can lead to stress include:

• Overscheduling
• Failing to be assertive
• Procrastination and/or failing to plan ahead

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Thank you!

Thanks - Mata Davie - Jun 30th 2009

Hi there,

I have just done an essay on Stress and found this information to be very helpful, thank you for posting it

Good Info . . . - CPT Main - Jun 25th 2009

I am putting together a 30 min class on an Introduction to Stress Management for ROTC Students and this document has provided me with some useful information.  My inquiry was on eustress, which I could figure out the meaning of it based on it's use, but I wanted to search for a little more detail.  I think it's good that you went into the typical stressors and was pleased with the simplicity and introduction to the contrast of eustress and distress.  This is definitely be useful to the average person, like myself.  More details are always useful, but that will also include complexity.   I'm not sure what the average audience for this site is, but your document worked for me.  Thanks.

CPT Main

Eustress Vs. Distress - - Feb 5th 2009

Welcome Chums,

By the way author.... you have general info on stress, maybe you should go in more detail about eustress vs. distress.

Try making a chart or table,

Aight have a good 1...

See ya