Positive and Negative Stressors

Abhyarna · Post by **Abhyarna** » 13 Aug 2020, 07:01

rahilshajahan wrote:
> The book talks about stressors (reasons for one to stress) being of two
> types- positive and negative. I always believed stress was not good
> emotionally and physically, basically negative.
> But now that I think about it, an assignment which you can solve with some
> hours of studying should be positive stress. Am I thinking right? Do you
> have any better examples?
mild stress improves efficiency for most people. I have observed it myself.

plnjimenez · Post by **plnjimenez** » 13 Aug 2020, 11:40

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.

Indeed, stress can be cultivated to make us perform better. It can sometimes help in our analytical thinking. Given that in the future, we'd want to avoid the cause of our stress, we think of ways on how to deal with the situation better.

plnjimenez · Post by **plnjimenez** » 13 Aug 2020, 11:41

Guda LM wrote:
> Yes, life is full of positive stressors. This is what drives us to to
> better or improve ourselves. Example, stress about going broke will drive
> you to work hard and constantly seek opportunities.

This is true. Despite its negative impact on our emotions, if handled properly, it can be turned into something productive.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 13 Aug 2020, 12:21

Abhyarna wrote:
> rahilshajahan wrote:
> > The book talks about stressors (reasons for one to stress) being of two
> > types- positive and negative. I always believed stress was not good
> > emotionally and physically, basically negative.
> > But now that I think about it, an assignment which you can solve with some
> > hours of studying should be positive stress. Am I thinking right? Do you
> > have any better examples?
> mild stress improves efficiency for most people. I have observed it myself.

Yes, the stress in low amounts can increase your competitiveness and also keep your motivation. If properly channeled and kept within limits mild strength can be useful.

Post by **Alys Sterk** » 13 Aug 2020, 12:52

Stephanie Elizabeth wrote:
> I agree with you, and I have also, always, thought that stress was a
> negative thing--probably because it is portrayed that way in our society. I
> think a great example of stress being a positive thing is if a person knows
> they are in danger, the stress causes a flight or fight response, which
> can, as a result save your life. But if a person is always in a state of
> panic, the flight or fight response is always active, even if there is no
> threat, and that's when anxiety and stress can be detrimental.
I also think that a little bit of stress keeps you motivated and gives you a reason to push yourself. For example, an uncomfortable situation will indeed trigger a response from your sympathetic nervous system (like you mentioned). So that is what is behind what some people say as "Embarassment is the best teacher."

Thea Frederick · Post by **Thea Frederick** » 13 Aug 2020, 20:43

This is a really interesting question!
I wonder if maybe it comes down to your exact definition of “stress”. Stress can certainly prompt you to do things you should be doing, but too much stress can also be very bad, or stress in the wrong situation. So I guess it comes down to the particulars. What is the situation? How stressed are you? How are you going to react to that stress?

anaplasticCerebrum · Post by **anaplasticCerebrum** » 13 Aug 2020, 21:53

I agree stress has positive and negative factors. Stress can often be a motivator to complete certain tasks and shows us what we really care about at times. The issue is when we can't choose what external tasks and projects we want to follow, so we stress about what doesn't matter or things we need to do to survive.

Charity Damaris · Post by **Charity Damaris** » 14 Aug 2020, 02:38

I'm in agreement with you. Positive stress results are known when negative stress results are not known. Every person when faced with stress should try to get something good out of it.

Dannyphery · Post by **Dannyphery** » 14 Aug 2020, 05:53

I feel positive stress is one that gives u a valuable result at the end

rahilshajahan · Post by **rahilshajahan** » 14 Aug 2020, 09:46

Mindi wrote:
> I believe there is also a type of stress that comes with excitement. At the
> same time, we can be nervous and excited about a positive event in our
> lives, such as a new job or a wedding. I define that type of stress as a
> positive stress.

I think that makes some sense. The idea of stress here is not replaced with 'fear' but with 'heavy anticipation'.

rahilshajahan · Post by **rahilshajahan** » 14 Aug 2020, 09:56

Dannyphery wrote:
> I feel positive stress is one that gives u a valuable result at the end.

That needn't be true, right? The stress undergone by a single mother to provide for the family is negative stress for her in the short run, even though her family benefits from it.

Anna Dougherty · Post by **Anna Dougherty** » 14 Aug 2020, 10:40

I also believe studying is positive stress, but I would want to find a way to study that is not very stressful.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 14 Aug 2020, 12:49

Kansas City Teacher wrote:
> Stephanie Elizabeth wrote:
> > I agree with you, and I have also, always, thought that stress was a
> > negative thing--probably because it is portrayed that way in our society. I
> > think a great example of stress being a positive thing is if a person knows
> > they are in danger, the stress causes a flight or fight response, which
> > can, as a result save your life. But if a person is always in a state of
> > panic, the flight or fight response is always active, even if there is no
> > threat, and that's when anxiety and stress can be detrimental.
> I also think that a little bit of stress keeps you motivated and gives you a reason
> to push yourself. For example, an uncomfortable situation will indeed trigger a
> response from your sympathetic nervous system (like you mentioned). So that is what
> is behind what some people say as "Embarassment is the best teacher."

Yeah, stress if properly regulated and maintained for a short term can really act as a source of motivator and increase our competitiveness. Thus a bit of stress is normal and should be acknowledged. However, one must clearly draw the line before it becomes chronic.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 14 Aug 2020, 12:51

anaplasticCerebrum wrote:
> I agree stress has positive and negative factors. Stress can often be a
> motivator to complete certain tasks and shows us what we really care about
> at times. The issue is when we can't choose what external tasks and
> projects we want to follow, so we stress about what doesn't matter or
> things we need to do to survive.

Yes the best example f this is worrying about the exam results after giving the exam. At this time thinking about the matter to the point of anxiety is useless as it will only increase our stress and we are not going to benefit from it.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 14 Aug 2020, 12:53

Dannyphery wrote:
> I feel positive stress is one that gives u a valuable result at the end

Yes, true. Positive stress can be of many forms but the best one is the one which decreases ur procrastination and keeps you attentive enough to work out your job with enthusiasm.