Stress is a natural response of the body to a demand or threat. When the brain detects danger, real or perceived, the body’s defense mechanisms are rapidly and automatically activated in what is called the fight-or-flight reaction or the stress response. This is the body’s way of protecting you and helping you stay focused, energetic, and alert.

In emergencies, stress can be a life saver by giving you the strength to defend yourself or react quickly to avoid accidents. In other situations, stress can keep you alert during an important presentation or motivate you to study instead of watching TV, to offer just two examples.

Eustress Stress can have both positive and negative effects on the human body and mind. Any type of beneficial stress – physical or psychological – is referred to as eustress, which produces a positive response. Eustress is usually short-lived, manageable, and exhilarating, and is perceived as motivating. It can push individuals out of their comfort zone and help them succeed in situations that require them to extend themselves and learn new skills.

Distress – Distress, by contrast, is the negative type of stress that causes individuals to feel overwhelmed. It can harm their mood and outlook, disturb their sleep, and trigger health problems such as depression and anxiety. Distress occurs when individuals feel they have more challenges in their daily life than they can handle.

Unfortunately, the nervous system does not distinguish between emotional and physical threats, which means that even everyday issues like disagreements, work, or money can trigger a response as strong as if someone were in a true life-or-death situation. The more the emergency stress system is activated, the easier it is to trigger, making it harder to turn it off. Frequent stress can lead to serious health issues and can become a semi-permanent state.