Stress, Part 1

November 30, 2011

Stress is universal. If you are alive today, you are experiencing it. Understanding the 4 types of stress, good and bad, is a great place to begin when it comes to knowing how to manage, deal with, or embrace it.

1. Chronic Stress (adjective) is the type that is long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering.
2. Acute Stress is having or experiencing a rapid onset and short, but severe, course.
3. Eustress (Good stress) is deemed healthful or giving one the feeling of fulfillment.
4. Distress (Bad stress) is described as great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering, affliction; trouble. Also, a state of extreme necessity or misfortune.

On a positive note, I’d like to begin with EUSTRESS. I believe it’s important to first compare it with distress, since that is typically where our mind goes when we think or speak of this topic.
Eustress is a term coined by endocrinologist Hans Selye which is defined in the model of Richard Lazarus (1974) as stress that is healthy, or gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings. Eustress is a process of exploring potential gains.
Distress is the most commonly-referred to type of stress, having negative implications, whereas eustress is a positive form of stress, usually related to desirable events in a person's life. Both can be equally taxing on the body, and are cumulative in nature, depending on a person's way of adapting to a change that has caused it. The body itself cannot physically discern between distress or eustress.[3] (From Wikipedia)

Since the body cannot recognize the difference between distress or eustress, we need to consider some ways to release the physical tension it is causing. Specifically, I highly recommend physical activity, relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, and tai chi.

Take a moment this week to consider what feels like stress in your life. Bring about awareness of the type, perhaps, by writing in your journal. Be specific on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of its effect. Start to develop a personal plan as to how you will first, understand, then manage your stress.

More to come!