Stress gets a bad rap, but did you know there are actually *two* kinds? We're often familiar with **distress**, the negative stress we associate with anxiety, overwhelm, and feeling burnt out. Think of looming deadlines, relationship problems, or financial worries – that's distress at play. It can lead to health problems and decreased performance.
But what about **eustress**? This is the 'good' stress, the kind that motivates and energizes us. It's that feeling of excitement before a performance, the challenge of learning a new skill, or the satisfaction of completing a tough workout. Eustress helps us grow, build resilience, and achieve our goals.
The key difference lies in our perception and coping abilities. Distress overwhelms, while eustress empowers. While both raise your heart rate, eustress feels manageable and motivating. Learning to recognize the difference and cultivate eustress while mitigating distress can significantly improve your well-being and unlock your potential.
