Eustres is a concept that changes negative associations with the word "stress". Eustres means good, mobilizing stress. Because stress is not only a reaction that destroys our nervous system, but also a signal for immediate action. This mobilization works on a "fight or flight" basis. Check below how to recognize eustress and use it for your purposes.
Eustres , just like stress, can accompany us in our new job, college, getting married, waiting for the birth of a child or even departure for the long-awaited vacation … These and others " great "events in our life, related to change arouse emotions in us. Often uncertainty, even hesitation. Only at this point do you have to differentiate between building stress or destructive stress, because stress has two faces. So let's focus on good, positive stress - eustress.
To know what eustress is, it is worth explaining how stress itself works, which is primarily a strong emotion, associated with the state of increased emotional tension and activation of the whole organism.
The author of the concept of "stress" is the Canadian scientist Hans Selye, who recognized that when the body is affected by a harmful factor (stressor), it reacts with a number of changes that are important for its further, proper work.
Under the influence of such impulses from the brain, the glands (and more precisely the adrenal glands) secrete, among others, the adrenaline we know, but also other hormones. These then travel to different parts of the body and cause negative anxiety symptoms. There is also faster breathing, faster heart rate or increased pressure; sweating and muscle tension increases.
Stress, which causes only negative reactions, is destructive, it burdens our body. distress. It lowers our physical resistance, paralyzes … Bad stress means suffering, fear, hyperactivity, bitterness, frustration, and being lost. Long-term distress is very dangerous for our proper functioning, because depression is just around the corner.
How does stress work?
1. Alarm- mobilization (i.e. new, unexpected, sometimes negative event)
2. Defense- stage of immunity (at this point, the body begins to produce mechanisms or substances that will help it survive the crisis)
3. The exhaustion stage(will occur if notyou will release the above tension, if you do not take action to reduce the level of stress or if it is long-lasting)
What is the most stressful experience in life for us? This is a very subjective matter, but in general it is primarily the death of a loved one, a family member; as well as severe loss of he alth (serious illness, acquired significant disability), divorce, loss of job, financial problems (unpaid loans, debts) … Everything that is a significant burden.
What is eustress?
Eustres is positive, good stress, which is designed to help, mobilize at the right moment to fight or flee. It is a factor that activates action, the struggle for survival and an incentive to "get over" a difficult situation. In Greek, "eu" means good, so eustres literally means "good stress".
It is a certain energy boost, but unfortunately - very short-lived, temporary. It promotes he althy competition and accompanies many changes in life. Eustres is effective, but unfortunately its "speed" makes it sometimes imprecise.
When does eustres appear?
1. In the event of a threat to life or he alth
These are emergency situations, sudden unforeseen situations. For example, when you see a car rushing straight at you, you feel a rush of adrenaline, emotions, and you act immediately to avoid an accident. The eustress action under the title: fight or flight takes place. In this case, you run away, but this escape is a struggle for survival.
2. As a motivation to work or study
Professionally, it is the so-called deadline day, and students can say something more about express night learning before the exam … These are last-minute actions, and eustress motivates to action before the deadline. And here a very important issue is the effectiveness of such outbursts and actions, because then there are often errors in the prepared reports, jerks and too much caffeine per night.
3. As a result of internal constraints
An example of our limitation are self-presentations and moments of appearing in front of a wider audience. We mobilize then to achieve the best result, to present ourselves in the best possible way. But we also stress before visiting the dentist, and we know that it is only for our good and he alth. He alth prophylaxis is important in every aspect, so let's test yourself with the thought: it's only eustress!
Specific examples of moments when we experience eustress are all the challenges to which we mobilize our body, ie:
- birth of a child
- wedding,wedding
- change of school / work, but also news about promotion
- change of residence (buying a house or renting an apartment)
- going on vacation, vacation
- longer trip outside the place of residence
- sports competitions, races - extreme sports
Where is the line between stress and eustress?
The line between eustress and distress is unfortunately small. When positive mobilization is not used properly, it turns into negative stress. Take a look at the graphic below - the border is thin, and when we reach the optimum level we start to "fall", plunging into debilitating distress. We exceed the optimal (i.e. the threshold of transition) when we do not adequately convert the motivating stress into the performance of the task.
Remember, not all stress is bad for us and has a negative effect on the body. Very often, the assessment of a given situation depends on ourselves, on how we perceive reality, how flexible we are.
Eustress, although short-term, stimulates action, gives energy, so let's use this mobilization to the full, carefully, so as not to enter into negative stress. Unfortunately, stress reveals our negative beliefs that we have to fight positively. So "turn on" your eustress.
Also read:How does your body react when you are stressed?
Stress at work: how does work affect our mental he alth?
How to deal with stress at work? Case reports
Unwanted symptoms of long-term stress
What is the relationship between stress and obesity?
Relieve stress and keep it under control
About the author
Katarzyna Płuska-SkoczylasSpecialist in social communication and human resources management, author of the website "Softly about competences" www.katarzynapluska.pl and creator of many expert publications: articles, e-books, online courses in social and professional skills; education manager, inactive sales department specialist. Graduate of MA studies in "Social Communication and Self-governance" (Adam Mickiewicz University) and postgraduate studies in "Human Resource Management" (Lodz University of Technology). Creator of the publication "Employee evaluation system", publishing house "Problems of human resource management in the organization of the 21st century" - collective work edited by Józef Penc (Łódź 2007). A type of industrious extrovert; soft skills lover - soft skills and human resources.