Positive and Negative Stressors

[Howlan]

It is the same point I raised, you only structured it differently.

Yeah, not really. Besides the harmful effects of high-stress levels, the way you can handle your stress is important. For example, when you are in the case of an emergency like being trapped in a fire or running away from danger, you are going to have high-stress levels. But it is this stress which increases the body's adrenaline and cognitive function and can save you from a life-threatening situation.

Stress can be attributed to a certain level of achievement. Hence it's beneficial at a controllable level.

Yes if you do not take mild levels of stress in your life then you will lack motivation in most aspects of your life. A little stress is beneficial as it helps to keep up the competitive spirit and helps people push themselves to get work done.

[Howlan]

I think our assumption of what negative and positive stress is, can be influenced by which feelings, processes, and results we attach to it.

Yes, positive stress can help you obtain feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment, while negative stress leads to fear, increased anxiety, despair and depression.

[Howlan]

I totally believe that everything in life has positive and negative sides
In stress, there are positive stressors and negative stressors
Positive stressors- stress induced from trying to achieve something good in life. This stress helps to teach us how to adapt with things in life
Negative stressors- stress induced from thinking of things that are inevitable

One advantage of identifying whether stress is positive or negative is you can keep the stress from getting so high.

Yes if you cannot manage your stress and it keeps on getting higher and chronic levels, the result is harmful. So, that is the reason you should not try to push yourself too much at something. You must keep a boundary. I think that's where the term 'mad scientist' comes from.

[Howlan]

Honestly thinking about it now I realize that we have been so confined to thinking stress is bad because we stress on negative things but if we think about stress helps us achieve goals that seems unattainable

Our outlook on stress has a huge role in how we deal with it. The negativity view of all kinds of stress can be a hindrance to your progress.

Yes if we try to view a stressful situation as beneficial, with a mindset of hope and great expectations, you can make the best of the situation keeping your stress levels managable.

[Howlan]

I agree stress has two sides: positive and negative. You want some pressure to keep moving. Sometimes I found if you feel uncomfortable, that is the place you are learning. On the other side, if it is too cozy, you are stagnant. But if one person is under high pressure over a long period, he/she would break down. That is the downside of stress.

It is also worthy of noting that not all positive stress is required. Moderation is key. Even positive stress can turn negative if it's not controlled.

Yes, the pursuit of knowledge is one great example of this genre. It must be a boundary to how much work can be done. Like sleeping very less and putting all time and energy into research by neglecting everything around you is an example which is definitely harmful to your health.

[Howlan]

Yes I think there can be positive stress in our lives. The first one that came to mind is a deadline. Depending how quick the deadline is, it might create some stress in our lives but it ultimately motivates us to complete the job. Another example could be challenging yourself to complete a goal. If it's a real challenge, there will probably be some stress involved but it's ultimately for your benefit to develop you however you choose.

True to your statement, goals, and deadlines can contribute to stress, but they are tools of progress.

Yes, because these deadlines have an expiry date. Once the stressor is eliminated, positive stress leaves you upbeat and exhilarated rather than dejected. You return to the earlier balance in the absence of the stressor. If not, the once positive stress leads to symptoms of negative stress.

[Howlan]

I think stress can be a good thing to people who can handle it in a productive way but it can be destructive to people who can't handle it.

Every remedy in this book, if also overdone, can become negative. Balancing between stress and ways to control it requires gradual practice.

Yes, your motivation and hard work must have an expiry date after which you must be able to return to your original state of calm and be able to relax. If you are still on high levels of alert and cant relax in the absence of the stressor, you have symptoms of negative stress.

[Howlan]

Yup! I learned about both in school. Negative stress about something like an assignment can cause anxiety and insomnia but positive stress, eustress, can also make people more motivated and teach them life skills like time management.

Since you mentioned time management, isn't it true that time causes stress too?

Yes, time or more specifically lack of time causes stress. Depending on your mindset, it can be positive or negative.

[Alya17]

I've never considered stress as having positive stressors, but I suppose studying for exams and even being stressed from a job are both good examples. A friend was recently diagnosed with anxiety, but she was unaware of it because the doctor observed that she became used to the stress or was functioning with her body in constant fight or flight mode. In this case, I think that even with positive stressors, prolonged exposure to stress is definitely unhealthy.

[Wangui07]

Yes you are thinking right. There can be positive and negative stress. For me stress that make you meet deadlines like at work or at home is positive stress. You learn from it.

[Caleb Kaputula]

You know what I can tell is stress is very necessary in our daily lives because it alerts us to know what's good or bad

[Howlan]

I've never considered stress as having positive stressors, but I suppose studying for exams and even being stressed from a job are both good examples. A friend was recently diagnosed with anxiety, but she was unaware of it because the doctor observed that she became used to the stress or was functioning with her body in constant fight or flight mode. In this case, I think that even with positive stressors, prolonged exposure to stress is definitely unhealthy.

Yes, that is true. For example, after studying for exams stressfully, once the exams are over, you should be able to go back to your original state of calm before the preparation, if you are unable to do so then that is definitely harmful to your body.

[Howlan]

Yes you are thinking right. There can be positive and negative stress. For me stress that make you meet deadlines like at work or at home is positive stress. You learn from it.

Yes, as long as the stress involved in doing that work does not leave any permanent effects on your body, any positive experience gained from the hardwork can be attributed to positive stress. However, if after the task has ended, you still feel stressful and anxious, it is negative stress.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

I guess in the back of my mind, I always knew that all my stressful experiences were not the same. Some I dreaded and others I looked forward to. This book showed me the clear categorical differences. And now I can think of so many periods of positive and negative stressors in my life.

A positive stressor I can think of was when I lost my grandmother, and a positive one was when I got my first job. I got the wind of the interview on short notice and had to prepare myself for it in a matter of hours. I was technically the most unprepared. However, I aced the interview and got the job.

Positive stressors also allow the affected person to become productive and thus productive.

Positive stressors are quite effective when one considers the total change it brings in the perspective of the person facing the stress. Positive stress is quite helpful to build competitiveness and motivation to get work done.

All stress can bring a positive impact on a person. If their attitude is right about it, their growth, progress, and change can occur through it.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

I can give an example of a negative stress is when someone is pregnant for the first time and your mind is filled with all sorts of information and you don't know how to handle the situation when the delivery date arrives ,but once the baby is safely delivered and given to you then that turns out to be positive.

Positive stress usually involves low-level stressors. Besides, this type of stress can help boost your brainpower by the production of neurotrophins.

Yes, Positive stress is beneficial as it motivates you. It keeps you under pressure to get work done and helps you pursue your goal. Like stress of an exam motivates you to study and that ultimately helps you in the long run.

Whether a stressor results in positive feedback is dependent on its level of intensity.