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Stress isn’t always bad. Understanding good vs bad stress can help you harness pressure to grow and achieve your goals while protecting your mental wellness at the same time.
Stress has been the cause of burnout, sleepless nights, panic attacks and so many more things that impact the body negatively. So if course, you’ll want to avoid it. But not all stress is bad. Some stress can sharpen your mind, increase motivation and help you propel in life. And it’s important that we understand the difference between ‘bad’ and ‘good’ stress, and know how to work with it instead of against it.
Also see: How to embrace self-compassion during stressful times
What is good stress?
Good stress is called eustress, and it’s purposeful and short-term. It’s that feeling you get when you pursue a new goal, start a new job or before a presentation even though you’re well prepared. You might experience a racing heart but your focus intensifies; it’s a kind of stress that energises you helping you achieve good results.
It’s a temporary boost in adrenaline that improves concentration and performance. You feel challenged but also capable to meet that challenge. Once the moment is over, your body returns back to normal and you feel a sense of accomplishment.
What is bad stress?
Bad stress is different and what we’re most familiar with. Distress tends to be overwhelming and emotionally draining. It doesn’t motivate you, instead it leaves you feeling anxious, fatigued and unable to switch off.
When experienced over a long time, you’re in a constant state of alertness. Long-term, it affects mood, sleep and overall well-being. Bad stress makes you feel stuck rather than stimulated, to the point where even the smallest task feels daunting.
How to tell the difference
The easiest way is to notice how stress makes you feel over time.
Good stress feels:
- Temporary
- Motivating
- Linked to purpose and growth
Bad stress feels:
- Persistent and urgent
- Draining
- Linked to pressure
Also see: Can Ashwagandha supplements help you stress less? Here’s what to know
How to use stress to your advantage
Instead of avoiding stress, try to manage it wisely:
- Reframe: Remind yourself that nervousness can mean growth, not danger
- Break it up: Smaller milestones feel doable
- Rest: Allow your nervous system to reset
- Move: Physical activity helps with release
- Focus on what you can control: Restore a sense of agency
Stress isn’t always the enemy. When you put it into perspective and rest well, it can become a useful marker that you’re stretching into a stronger and more capable version of yourself.
Compiled by Shaneen Noble
First published on Woman and Home
Also see: How birdwatching can boost your mental wellness and reduce stress