What does positive stress mean? Unlocking the Power of Eustress

October 2, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), positive stress, known as eustress, is a beneficial, short-term stress that can motivate individuals to perform well on challenging but worthwhile tasks. This form of stress is an essential part of healthy development and growth, proving that not all stress is created equal.

Quick Summary

Positive stress, or eustress, refers to a healthy, motivating, and temporary response to a challenge that is perceived as manageable and valuable. It produces feelings of excitement and focused energy, driving personal growth and enhancing performance, unlike its negative counterpart, distress.

Key Points

Eustress is good stress: This positive form of stress is energizing and motivating, arising from challenges perceived as manageable and beneficial.
Perception is key: The same event can be either eustress or distress, depending on your mindset and whether you view the challenge as an opportunity or a threat.
Eustress boosts performance: Moderate levels of positive stress can increase focus, productivity, and creativity, leading to peak performance.
Growth mindset is a factor: Viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and development, a core component of a growth mindset, fosters eustress.
It builds resilience: By navigating manageable stressors, you build your capacity to cope with more significant challenges in the future.
Balance is crucial: Unchecked eustress can lead to distress and burnout. Healthy practices like rest and proper stress management are necessary to maintain balance.
Examples include exciting events: Common triggers for eustress include starting a new job, preparing for a speech, or a challenging workout.

Understanding the Distinction: Eustress vs. Distress

Stress is a natural part of life, but its effects vary dramatically based on perception. The endocrinologist Hans Selye first introduced the concept of positive stress, or "eustress," in the 1970s, differentiating it from the damaging "distress". The key difference lies in our perception and our sense of control over the situation.

Eustress: The good stress that motivates and energizes

Eustress occurs when you feel challenged but capable of handling the situation. It's characterized by being short-term, motivating, manageable, and potentially enjoyable, leading to improved performance.

Distress: The bad stress that overwhelms and depletes

Distress arises when demands exceed our perceived ability to cope, leading to anxiety, burnout, and impaired performance. Examples include chronic workplace pressure or financial difficulties.

The Psychology Behind Positive Stress

Both eustress and distress trigger the body's "fight-or-flight" response. However, interpreting a situation as a challenge you can overcome, rather than a threat, allows you to reframe physical symptoms as energizing, leading to a eustress response. This connects to a "growth mindset," where challenges are seen as opportunities for development, not obstacles.

How to Harness Positive Stress in Your Life

Cultivating eustress involves reframing challenges. You can achieve this by setting challenging but realistic goals, practicing mindfulness, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, and embracing new experiences that offer invigorating novelty.

The Impact of Eustress on Performance and Well-being

Moderate levels of eustress can lead to peak performance, as described by the Yerkes-Dodson Law. The benefits include increased resilience, a sense of accomplishment, enhanced focus and creativity, and even better physical health, such as from exercise.

Maintaining Balance: When Eustress Becomes Distress

Eustress can turn into distress if not managed. Excessive demands without recovery time can be overwhelming. Maintaining work-life balance, relaxation, and a support system are vital to keep stress positive.

Conclusion: Making Stress Work For You

Understanding positive stress is key to leveraging it for growth, motivation, performance, and resilience. It’s about adopting a mindset that turns challenges into opportunities. For more on managing stress, visit the {Link: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/living-with/index.html}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in perception and outcome. Positive stress (eustress) is motivating and manageable, leading to growth and satisfaction. Negative stress (distress) is overwhelming and unmanageable, leading to anxiety, fatigue, and burnout.

Examples of eustress include starting a new job, preparing for an important presentation, training for a sports competition, learning a new skill, or planning an exciting trip. These situations are challenging but inspire focus and positive energy.

Yes, if positive stress is prolonged without adequate rest or if the demands become overwhelming, it can transition into negative stress. For instance, an exciting new project could become a source of distress if it leads to chronic overwork and burnout.

Your mindset plays a significant role. If you view stress as a challenge to be conquered (growth mindset), you are more likely to experience eustress. If you view it as a debilitating threat (fixed mindset), you are more likely to experience distress.

Yes, a certain amount of stress is normal and can be beneficial. In the form of eustress, it can act as a motivator, sharpen focus, and lead to personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.

Positive stress can cause physical changes such as an increased heart rate and adrenaline release, but because the stress is perceived positively, these effects are temporary and do not cause harm. In cases like exercise, they can even lead to physical health improvements.

To foster eustress, you can set challenging but realistic goals, seek out new experiences, adopt a growth mindset by reframing challenges, and practice self-care to ensure you have the resources to cope. Incorporating hobbies and exercise is also highly effective.