Positive and Negative Stressors

Joseph_ngaruiya · Post by **Joseph_ngaruiya** » 07 Aug 2020, 14:58

X-XXXX-X wrote:
> Yes you're thinking right. I mean, if we didn't had some level of stress we
> would never do things. We usually call this "working under
> pressure", but what is good stress or bad stress will really depend on
> the person, situation, the level of stress and the outcome that this could
> bring.
>
> Everything is really relative when it comes to human mind, so I can't
> really tell what would be a good stress for everybody.

True, what may be termed as negative stress to one person may be positive to another. For this reason I would recommend sharing a number off remedies with someone then ask them to choose one than giving them what I think would work.

rahilshajahan · Post by **rahilshajahan** » 08 Aug 2020, 09:41

mpsmaster wrote:
> This was really insightful! If you think about it: it's possible to be
> totally absorbed in a complex task, for hours, maybe under preassure, and
> still feel good. It seems to be a matter of interest, sincere curiosity and
> excitement. A desire within to engage in an activity seems key to
> understand this. What do you think?

Yes. I agree with you. How you face the problem has a huge impact on whether the stress is going to be positive or negative.

xsquare · Post by **xsquare** » 08 Aug 2020, 10:48

mpsmaster wrote:
> This was really insightful! If you think about it: it's possible to be
> totally absorbed in a complex task, for hours, maybe under preassure, and
> still feel good. It seems to be a matter of interest, sincere curiosity and
> excitement. A desire within to engage in an activity seems key to
> understand this. What do you think?

I agree with this! The real trouble comes, however, when you hit a roadblock or an obstacle while doing the task (which is to be expected if it's very complex). I think how you deal with the subsequent "roadblock" determines whether it's positive or negative stress. If you can take a break to readjust, the task is still a positive stressor, but if one gets frustrated, it might still turn into a negative stressor even if you were originally interested, curious and excited about the task.

Lilyflower-x2 · Post by **Lilyflower-x2** » 08 Aug 2020, 11:49

Dominik_G wrote:
> I totally believe that stress has both positive and negative effects. I'd
> probably say "positive stress" is that which helps us adapt to a
> situation (often a new situation) by pushing us to optimize it the best we
> can.

My thoughts exactly. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people have lost their jobs and their only source of income. However, I have friends who decided its was time to start the business they have always wanted but never had time or courage to do. Its an example of turning a negative stress (losing their job) to a positive stress. (Growing their own business and being self-employed)

David_Kariuki · Post by **David_Kariuki** » 08 Aug 2020, 12:51

Maybe negative stress could be turned to positive stress based on how we decide to act upon it.

David_Kariuki · Post by **David_Kariuki** » 08 Aug 2020, 12:58

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> Astrolorraine wrote:
> > I think of positive stress as the kind of stress you feel when trying to
> > succeed at something you actually look forward to, like when taking an exam
> > or planning an event. Negative stress on the other hand doesn't come with
> > anything you look forward to, like the stress of commuting or dealing with
> > toxic people. At least that's what I took from the book.
>
> This is okay. From a reward comes satisfaction, which in most cases is a feeling
> that's attached to positivity. Nevertheless, negative stress doesn't always have to
> be lacking a reward. I'd generally put it as stress whose eventuality is a negative
> force that affects you or those around you, regardless of it having a reward or not.
I guess certain kinds of stress can never be turned to positive stress due to the overall negative effects that they bring.

David_Kariuki · Post by **David_Kariuki** » 08 Aug 2020, 13:05

Laila_Hashem wrote:
> I think everyone's stressors and whether they are negative or positive
> depend on the person. For me, that assignment would be negative because I
> am someone who is always stressed out by assignments and grades. I can't
> really think of a positive stressor for myself, but I do understand where
> the author is coming from when he says not all stress is bad. He is
> referring to circumstances that are beyond our control (so they stress us
> out), but force us to be productive or happy or to adapt any quality we
> want to have (so they are positive).
Reminds me of the time I got my first job. I literally knew nothing yet I had to work with complex systems. I dreaded going to work every morning because I was afraid i would mess up. As a result i ensured i learned every single detail about the job, even things that others found unnecessary. I got so good at it that i even started training newbies and became awarded employee of the year within 2 months of starting.

Paul-Osamudiamen · Post by **Paul-Osamudiamen** » 08 Aug 2020, 13:31

Yes, an assignment you can solve with some hours of studying should be positive stress. Stress that forces you to complete a task you would ordinary not have been able to do can be termed positive. Conversely, if the stress drains your energy and weakens your "drive" that would be negative stress.

Misael Carlos · Post by **Misael Carlos** » 08 Aug 2020, 14:49

Yes there are positive stressors. One is when you are given a new challenging task in your job. It creates a positive stress because it makes you strive to be at your best and creative. It is called Eustress.

Tochukwu Godson · Post by **Tochukwu Godson** » 08 Aug 2020, 15:14

You know, I have never thought about negative stress and positive stress. Stress is not all negative. Success causes stress, and it's a positive one.

Banette · Post by **Banette** » 09 Aug 2020, 03:51

I think you're totally right about being pushed to study because you're worried about an assignment being an example of positive stress. Based on the definitions given, I think the distinction between positive and negative stress comes down to whether or not the effects of the stress are proportional to the situation. If being stressed about grades makes you study more often then it's positive stress, but if it makes you lose sleep or stress eat, then it's negative stress. Then to take it to a more extreme example, if you're trying to escape from a dangerous situation stress keeping you awake would be positive, but if that stress paralyzes so you can't escape you then it's negative.

cookiedough · Post by **cookiedough** » 09 Aug 2020, 16:14

I agree there are positive and negative stresses. I like to think stress like a bell curve, where both extremes are bad. Too little stress and you can be lazy. Too much stress can cause health complications. The right amount can motivate you to work towards your goals. Take exercise for example. You provide stress on your muscles to make them stronger. Too much will hurt them, but you can work towards a great workout regime.

mondegreen · Post by **mondegreen** » 09 Aug 2020, 20:09

I think positive stressors keep us acting in a way that is "normal" or acceptable to society's standards. If we didn't have certain anxieties about the way we acted, like knowing we would be thought of as weird if we randomly shouted in the middle of a meeting, then we would not follow those boundaries that are folkways in our society.

Banette · Post by **Banette** » 10 Aug 2020, 01:48

mondegreen wrote:
> I think positive stressors keep us acting in a way that is
> "normal" or acceptable to society's standards. If we didn't have
> certain anxieties about the way we acted, like knowing we would be thought
> of as weird if we randomly shouted in the middle of a meeting, then we
> would not follow those boundaries that are folkways in our society.

That's definitely an interesting thought, it's something I hadn't considered. But could you really call it a type of stress if it's repressing an impulse that most people don't have, or ignore almost entirely? Like there's definitely societal pressure to not do something that is deemed odd, but in the case of shouting randomly, I don't think that people are worried about how they'll be treated if they just start shouting because, generally speaking, they're not considering shouting things out at random.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 10 Aug 2020, 02:04

xsquare wrote:
> Joseph WK wrote:
> > Positive stress- trying to complete multiple tasks in a short time propts
> > to be super immaculate and plan accordingly so that i don't confuse or mix
> > them up. Which leadsgo very good results in a short period.
>
> I suppose if you're able to actually complete those tasks, then it becomes a positive
> stressor. Otherwise I would think if you couldn't complete your deadlines it might
> even turn into a greater source of stress!

Yes, but at the end of the day it comes down to whether you are able to take inspiration from your failed deadlines. If you are say able to gain experience and makes you better at keeping deadlines, it is positive but if you are saying, depressed about it long term and is effecting your work negatively, it is negative stress.