Good stress?

Stress is often referred to colloquially in only negative terms, but it can be both "good" and "bad." Eustress, sometimes called constructive stress, is a common response that helps people meet the demands of life. Distress, sometimes called destructive stress, on the other hand, may cause psychological suffering but is possible to manage through a variety of techniques. Regardless of the type of stress, the brain detects a threat from an external stimulus ? whether that?s a difficult exam or an angry dog ? and activates a stress response, enabling a surge of hormones designed to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Once the threat is gone, the heart rate, blood pressure, and hormones return to their previous state, calming the body down. In terms of evolution, this ?fight or flight? (and sometimes ?freeze?) response serves as a protective survival tactic in all animals, with the brain signaling other parts of the body to act. Keep on reading for the ins and outs of what eustress and distress are and how to manage them!