Eustress

Eustress is defined in the model of Richard Lazarus (1974) as stress that is healthy or gives one a feeling of fulfillment.

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Distress versus eustress

Distress is the most commonly-referred to type of stress, having negative implications, whereas eustress is a positive form of stress, usually related to desirable events in person's life. Both can be equally taxing on the body, and are cumulative in nature, depending on person's way of adapting to a change that has caused it.^[1]

Etymology

The prefix derives from the Greek eu meaning either "well" or "good". When attached to the word "stress", it literally means "good stress". In both the word "eustress" and its antonym "distress", the prefixes dis- and eu- refer to the stressor, and not the impact of the stressor.

Examples of causes of eustress

• Meeting a challenge
• Coming in first or winning
• Getting a promotion
• Marriage
• The holidays
• Buying a new home
• Going on a roller coaster ride

References

1. ^ J. Kabat-Zinn. Full catastrophe living - how to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation. (1996)

See also

• Distress
• Hans Selye