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​Healthy vs. unhealthy stress. What’s the difference?

Sprout Admin -

Stress is a natural response to challenges or demands in our lives. While small amounts of stress are good for the body, large amounts of chronic stress can be detrimental to our health.

In this article, we will cover some of the main differences between healthy and unhealthy stress.

Healthy stress (Eustress)

Healthy stress, also known as eustress, is a type of stress that is beneficial to you. It is acute (short-term, enables you to build resilience and keeps you safe. You might feel eustress just before a job interview because you know it’s important if you want to obtain your dream role.

Healthy stress can motivate you to take action and be productive. It can help us focus and perform better. It can also improve our memory and learning ability. Research shows that moderate levels of stress can improve cognitive function and increase creativity.

However, it's important to note that healthy stress should not be chronic or excessive. Prolonged periods of healthy stress can become unhealthy and lead to negative effects on our physical and mental health.

Unhealthy stress (Distress)

Unhealthy stress, also known as distress, is a type of stress that is harmful to you. It’s usually chronic and can result from a variety of factors, including work, relationships, finances or medical conditions. For example, you might feel distressed due to money problems, anxiety, burnout, depression, or a lack of healthy relationships in your life.

Unhealthy stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. It may lead to migraines, muscle tension, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. It can also increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health disorders.

Managing stress

The difference between eustress and distress is mostly in the intensity, duration, and perception of the stressor.

Healthy stress is short-term, and it’s easy to manage, whereas unhealthy stress is usually prolonged and is a lot harder to control. Here are some top tips to help you manage unhealthy or chronic stress more easily.

  • Identify the source of stress so you can work to reduce or eliminate it
  • Seek support from your friends, family, or a therapist
  • Practice stress management or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation
  • Get enough sleep each night (between seven and nine hours)