Stress: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Stress. The word itself probably makes you cringe or recall moments of high anxiety. In fact, just talking about stress actually causes stress; however, what if I told you that stress is not necessarily a bad thing?

There are two different types of stress: eustress and distress. Eustress can increase productivity and allow us to perform at our very best. We become more alert and stimulated when eustress is introduced in to our lives; however, there is a point where you can move from the desirable high performance stage into distress. Distress causes fatigue, lack of motivation, and irritability, and long periods of distress can lead to serious health issues.

If you can learn to recognize signs that you are becoming stressed, such as fingernail biting or losing sleep, you may be able to control it before it becomes distress. Once you identify signs of stress, try these three tips to keep it under control.

Set priorities and remember to place everything into the bigger picture or complete context of your life and goals.
Find a hobby that allows you to rid yourself of extra stress.
Reach out to your close family or friends who can provide emotional support or make you feel at ease.

Once you’ve got your stress levels balanced, watch your productivity soar!