The Impact Of Stress

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Eustress and Distress affect the physical functioning of the body in similar ways. What is the difference between these two types of stress? Also discuss the physical stress response. What are stress hormones and what do they do in the human body? See additional information that has been uploaded.

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Eustress, also known as positive stress, is a beneficial form of stress that motivates you to perform at your best. It can help you focus, be alert, and energetic. Eustress is often associated with challenges that you feel confident and capable of handling.

Distress, on the other hand, is negative stress that can have harmful effects on your physical and mental health. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work deadlines, financial problems, relationship issues, and major life changes.

Type of Stress Description Example
Eustress Positive stress Giving a presentation at work on a topic you know well
Distress Negative stress Feeling overwhelmed by work deadlines

The Physical Stress Response

When you experience stress, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This is a primitive survival mechanism that helps you deal with danger. During fight-or-flight mode, your body releases a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause a number of physical changes, such as:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased respiration
  • Muscle tension
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased sweating

These changes are designed to help you cope with the threat at hand. However, if you experience chronic stress, these physical changes can take a toll on your health.

Stress Hormones

The two main stress hormones are adrenaline and cortisol.

  • Adrenaline: Adrenaline is also known as epinephrine. It is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Adrenaline causes a number of physical changes, such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. It also increases blood sugar levels and dilates the pupils. These changes give you the energy you need to fight or flee from danger.
  • Cortisol: Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released by the adrenal glands. Cortisol helps regulate a number of bodily functions, including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and immune system function. Cortisol levels naturally rise in the morning and then taper off throughout the day. However, chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can have a number of negative health effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and impaired immune function.

Here’s a table summarizing the effects of Eustress and Distress on the body:

Physiological Effect Eustress Distress
Heart Rate Slightly increased Increased
Blood Pressure Slightly increased Increased
Respiration Slightly increased Increased
Muscle Tension May be present Increased
Pupils May be dilated Dilated
Sweating May be present Increased

As you can see, both eustress and distress cause similar physical changes. However, the intensity of these changes is typically greater in distress. Additionally, chronic distress can lead to long-term health problems, while eustress is generally considered to be harmless.

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