The idea of one form of stress being healthy or unhealthy can be deceptive. Stress itself isn’t unhealthy or a bad thing, it is more how we respond to stress. It is useful to overlay the concept of the Window of Tolerance (WoT). The WoT is the optimal range in which we can effectively manage both high and low emotions, without feeling overwhelmed or shut down. What is known as “good” or “healthy’ stress, otherwise known as eustress, is when we are still within the WOT. Eustress, helps us to be engaged and excited about the tasks, it keeps us focused, can keep us going when we are a little tired, stop us from being distracted and it can even reduce pain.

Distress occurs when we are pushed outside the WoT. Distress is often seen as a “bad” or “unhealthy” stress. However, it is only an issue if it persists in situations that are not life-threatening. If, for example, we need to experience stress when our lives are in jeopardy (for example, being chased by a bear) distress is the healthy stress. Issues can arise when everyday life becomes so distressing that we become distressed about being in distress.

Rather than categorising stress in terms of “good” or “bad”, “healthy” or “unhealthy” a better understanding involves examining how stress functions. Eustress keeps us in the zone of productivity, while distress is about survival. Stress management is about realising when we have hit our Window of Tolerance and being able to bring ourselves back into that balance.

By: Eric Hoskins, Snr Psychotherapist