Advertisement

Advertisement

eustress

[ yoo-stres ]

noun

  1. physical, mental, or emotional tension that is caused by something positive or is psychologically or physically beneficial:

    When stress enhances function, such as when you’re lifting weights or accomplishing a challenging task, it could be considered eustress.



Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of eustress1

First recorded in 1965–70; eu- ( def ) + stress ( def )
Discover More

Example Sentences

But another key reason why we all need to know about eustress, says Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University, is that it is possible to convert distress into eustress by reframing stressful situations as positive challenges – and reaping the benefits.

This type is known as “eustress” and without it, they say, our lives would be dull and meaningless.

Kaufer has found physiological evidence of the power of eustress.

Her team compared activity in the hippocampuses – “an area that is involved in learning and memory” – of rats exposed to prolonged stress versus a moderate stressor comparable to eustress in humans.

When pushing yourself through a eustress situation, she says, “you have to focus in a way that you’ve not before”.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


eusteleeustyle