What Kind of Stress Are You Under?

Stress is something everyone experiences on a daily basis. Most people only think of “stress” as the negative emotional strain that gives us that adrenaline rush feeling of butterflies in our stomach. But there is another, more comprehensive way of looking at stress and one that will make everyday lifestyle decision simple and easy for you.

The endocrinologist who coined the term “stress” back in the 1950’s, Hans Selye, never meant for it to only include the negative aspects of life. He made the distinction between:

1) “Eustress” as being “good stress” (the prefix ‘eu’ means “good, well or true” as in ‘Euphoria’) and

2) “Distress” as being “bad stress” (the prefix ‘dis’ means “not, opposite of” as in ‘Disabled’).

Regarding your health and lifestyle decisions, using this distinction, “stress” may be looked at something that either builds your body up or breaks your body down, either something that makes you healthy or makes you sick.

So to illustrate this point, would you say exercise is a “Eustress” or a “Distress”?

Does it surprise you that exercise can be either a positive or negative stress on your body? Exercise too much and you won’t be able to recover adequately and your immune system will break down. But exercise done properly, builds muscle, burns fat, enhances stamina and increases energy.

You can apply the same distinction to dietary choices. Too much of any one thing isn’t healthy. But it’s pretty obvious to know that drinking a glass of water will make you healthier than having a soda and having a salad with your sandwich will be healthier for you than that side of fries.

So I encourage you to use this concept of Eustress vs. Distress as your guide to decide whether the next thing you do will bring you towards the health you want for yourself…or not.