Weird question, but did you know STRESS can actually be good for you?
We want to talk about STRESS… and how in small amounts, it can actually be good for you.
The thing is, stress can motivate you, push you forward to new heights, and it can boost your focus and your energy.
It can even make your body release hormones that raise your performance, both mentally and physically.
In other words, we NEED stress…
But too much stress has the opposite effect.
That’s when it can affect your:
- mood
- sleep and
- overall health.
Those high-stress levels are linked with:
- high blood pressure,
- heart disease,
- depression,
- and more.
That’s not what you want!
That’s why we’re always talking about having a plan in place to manage your stress — things like your workouts, sleep, and a healthy diet all can help.
BUT… did you know that there are actually 6 MAJOR TYPES of stress?
It’s true…
We’re going to quickly go over them because recognizing stress is the first step to managing it!
You’ll notice that there’s a lot of overlap, and some kinds of stress can actually cause other types of stress to occur, or make them worse.
Here are the 6 types of stress to look for…
- Acute stress: This is the most common form of stress and it’s usually a response to an immediate challenge.
This could be something like public speaking, dealing with a one-time difficult situation, or taking a test. Feeling this kind of stress can actually be helpful because it keeps you alert and focused.
- Episodic acute stress: This is when you have a lot of acute stress in your life, like a high-stress job or when you are juggling a lot of responsibilities and challenges at the same time.
An example: having a stressful day at work where one stressful thing happens after another and you go home feeling wiped out.
If this type of stress lasts too long, it can affect your health.
- Chronic stress: This takes that acute stress and stretches it out over a long period of time with very little break.
Common causes include a difficult job, money problems, relationship problems, etc. Chronic stress can do a real number on your physical and mental health.
- Traumatic stress: This occurs when something bad happens, like an accident, natural disaster, or violence.
It can cause long-lasting emotional and psychological effects.
- Psychological stress: This is when you experience negative thoughts, depression/hopelessness, and low self-esteem.
It can be caused by trauma or chronic stress.
- Physiological stress: This is caused by physical problems like medical problems, illness, injuries, or traumatic stress.
It doesn’t only affect your body, but also your mental and emotional well-being, and over time it can turn into chronic stress.
So, that’s quite a list, right? Did any of them resonate with you?
Bottom Line: Don’t let stress take over your life!
You DO have the power to manage your stress and lead a happier, healthier life.
Take some time to think about – but not stress over! – the stresses in YOUR life.
Do you have a plan in place to manage it? It can be worth talking to your healthcare provider… and also focusing on your own self-care, because you deserve it!
Download our free eBook “Rejuvenate: 24 Science Backed Strategies to Conquer Stress” by clicking the picture below.
