Stress can deplete the most vibrant of souls. It can have a negative effect on every aspect of a person’s life including their health, emotional well-being, relationships, and career. However, not all stress is harmful; good stress, or eustress, is actually energizing. Read further to identify three examples of good stress and five beneficial tools to manage the stress in your life whether it’s good, bad, or somewhere in between.
Examples of Good Stress
1. Hero Stress
Lifesaving stress, or hero stress, is an important example of good stress. You may have heard stories in which a person performs an impossible feat of physical strength in order to save their life or the life of someone they love. For instance, when a panicked father lifts a several-ton vehicle from his child trapped underneath. This father’s ability to access superhuman strength is due to a walloping surge of adrenaline. This is one example of good stress.
2. The Stress of Aiming High
Stress that accompanies aiming for a goal can inspire and enliven. A prize-winning weightlifter who desires to increase the amount of weight she can bench press in a matter of weeks experiences the stress of aiming high. When a person aims for a goal with a deadline, it can be a source of stress. However, giving oneself enough time to work steadily toward a realistic goal, makes this situation a source of good stress.
3. Positive, Major Life Change Stress
A positive, major life change, like getting married, can be a source of good stress. Regardless of how good the change is, an important life shift comes with unknown variables that can be stressful. A person may wonder if they have what it takes to fulfill the requirement of their new role, or they may worry about the new experiences they’re likely to face. Stress caused by a positive and major life change can be beneficial because it causes a person to step out of their comfort zone and learn new skills.
Five Simple Stress Management Tools
There are many examples of good stress that empower and invigorate, but even good stress can become overwhelming. Here are five simple ways to manage stress in your life, be it good or bad:
- Learn to say no: Become comfortable with letting other people know when you do not have time to fulfill their requests.
- Minimize contact: Individuals and situations can become triggers for stress. Recognize people or circumstances that cause stress for you and minimize your contact with them.
- Express your feelings: Stress can be the result of unresolved issues and unexpressed feelings. Let those around you know how you feel.
- Manage your time: Manage your time, and schedule activities in a way that leaves ample time to complete what you need to do without rushing.
- Revise your to-do list: A to-do list a mile long is stressful. Omit unnecessary activities or chores from your list of things to do.
Good stress, like hero stress, the stress of aiming high, or major life change stress is invigorating and energizing. However, even good stress requires management. Use helpful tools like time management techniques and editing your to-do list to control the stress in your life, and allow it to work for you and not against you.
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This article was originally published as a blog post at www.AsanteGeorge.com entitled 3 Examples of Good Stress & 5 Ways to Make Stress Your Ally
