Stress is something we all experience, but what does it really mean? While often seen as negative, stress can take many forms — sometimes draining us, and other times motivating us. To understand how to manage it, we first need to explore what stress is, the difference between distress and eustress, and how we can choose our response using the Triple ‘A’ approach.
What is Stress?
The Random House Dictionary defines stress as, “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension,” and, “a situation, occurrence, or factor causing this.” The word “stress” actually comes from a Latin word meaning, “distress.”
Stress can be difficult to pin down because it is a very individual thing. For many, public speaking is very stressful – but it may be one of your great joys in life. Remember, since stress is different for everyone, your approach must be personalized, too.Typically, we interpret stress as a negative thing, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
What is Eustress?
“Eustress” means stress with a positive effect. It was coined by psychologist Richard Lazarus in 1974. How can stress be positive, you ask? Think of the emotional strain caused by these positive events:
- Winning a race
- Being a new parent
- Riding a rollercoaster
- Watching a scary movie
In these situations, the physical, mental, or emotional strain actually produces positive emotions, rather than the negative emotions usually associated with stress. Without distress or eustress, life would be a pretty boring ride!
Understanding the Triple “A” Approach
It is important to remember that you always have a choice in how you respond to stress. Instead of feeling powerless, you can take control by deciding whether to:
- Alter the situation or your approach to it.
- Avoid the situation.
- Accept the situation.
Interested in mastering this topic? This post is part of November’s focus on Stress Management, which is also a featured course in our Executive Mini-MBA program online, brought to you from Harvard Square. Elevate your skills—enroll now!
