Types of Stress
Hi Everyone!
Have you ever been stressed out? Silly question, I guess, as at some point in our lives we have all had to deal with stress. However, did you know that there are two types of stress? If you answered “no” to that question, do not worry! Most people lump all stress together not realizing that stress can be categorized.
The first type of stress is distress. By definition, distress is any type of stressor that causes anxiety, pain or sorrow. Distress can lead to unhappiness which can affect how we perform in different areas of our lives. It can lead to emotional, physical and mental issues. Distress can make one feel as though a situation is overwhelming and beyond one’s capabilities. Distress can come from situations like losing a job, loss of a loved one, financial constraints, and housing problems, just to name a few. In times like these, the priority is to always make sure your physical needs are met first. It is difficult to work on emotional and mental needs when your basics (food, housing, finances) are not settled. However, be very mindful that chronic distress can lead to health issues. So make sure to tune in to your support system (family, friends, and professionals) to get the help that you need.
The second type of stress is eustress. This type of stress has also been termed “good stress” as usually eustress is caused by situations that are good for us. Examples of these types of situations are getting a big job promotion, planning your wedding, building a new home, etc. Although these life events are exciting, the stress can build up and cause one to become overwhelmed. Even “happy stress” can lead to health issues if one is not careful to plan time to prioritize and rest. Make sure to ask for help when you need it and to make a to-do list every day to make tasks more manageable.
Both of these types of stress can be broken down into additional types of stress, but hopefully this is a helpful overview as to what each of us has experiences at some point in our lives! Remember, we were not created to walk this earth alone. So never be afraid to reach out. There is someone willing to listen and come to your rescue!
Continuing to break the stigma,
Elise Banks
Miss International 2015
Have you ever been stressed out? Silly question, I guess, as at some point in our lives we have all had to deal with stress. However, did you know that there are two types of stress? If you answered “no” to that question, do not worry! Most people lump all stress together not realizing that stress can be categorized.
The first type of stress is distress. By definition, distress is any type of stressor that causes anxiety, pain or sorrow. Distress can lead to unhappiness which can affect how we perform in different areas of our lives. It can lead to emotional, physical and mental issues. Distress can make one feel as though a situation is overwhelming and beyond one’s capabilities. Distress can come from situations like losing a job, loss of a loved one, financial constraints, and housing problems, just to name a few. In times like these, the priority is to always make sure your physical needs are met first. It is difficult to work on emotional and mental needs when your basics (food, housing, finances) are not settled. However, be very mindful that chronic distress can lead to health issues. So make sure to tune in to your support system (family, friends, and professionals) to get the help that you need.
Continuing to break the stigma,
Elise Banks
Miss International 2015
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