A Journey From Distress To Well-being

Eustress (Good stress) and Distress are terms that categorise different types of stress. At one end of the spectrum is distress, which involves negative feelings and is often a difficult experience. At the other end is eustress, which is challenging but rewarding and leads us to mental and physical well-being.

How to promote Eustress (Good stress)

People can promote eustress in several ways.

A simple way to do this is to participate in activities that are challenging but feel doable and have a clear route forward. A person could try:

• Learning a new skill.
• Starting a new hobby or project.
• Playing games.
• Mentoring or teaching others
• Exercising at a level suited to their physical abilities
• Doing volunteer work.

Signs and symptoms of chronic distress.

• Irritability, which can be extreme
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Rapid, disorganised thoughts
• Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive problems
• Changes in appetite
• Feeling helpless
• A  perceived loss of control

• Low self-esteem
• Loss of sexual desire
• Nervousness
• Frequent infections or illnesses

When to seek help

Chronic or overwhelming stress is not something that a person has to tolerate. In fact, doing so can lead to distress.

If a person is finding it difficult to manage high amounts of stress or anxiety, they can seek help from experts like-

• Doctor
• Therapist or counsellor.
• Support organisation or helpline human resources department(HR), if the stress is work-related.