While stress plays a role in everyone’s life, it doesn’t have to dictate your day-to-day stress levels. Due dates at work, strained relationships, and personal challenges can manifest into different types of stress. When you are able to understand the types of stress that can impact you, it is easier for you to develop stress management skills to reduce their impact on your daily life. At Collective Counseling Solutions, our therapists can talk to you about the various stress conditions and how to address them. The main types of stress include acute stress, chronic stress, eustress, distress, and environmental factors.
Acute stress
The first and most common type of stress is that of acute stress. This is a type of stress that is considered short-term and can be caused by specific events such as a job interview, a deadline at work, or a big event like getting married. Acute stress activates your body’s fight-or-flight response, which might cause some physical symptoms including increased heart rate and sweating. While acute stress is typically short-lived and does not have long-lasting effects on the body, it is important to address it in a healthy manner to prevent it from becoming chronic.
Chronic stress
Unlike acute stress, chronic stress is ongoing and can last for extended periods of time. It may result from long-term issues such as financial struggles, relationship problems, or health concerns. Chronic stress can lead to serious health problems if left unaddressed, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. It is important to identify the sources of chronic stress and develop coping mechanisms to manage it effectively.
Eustress
Contrary to popular belief, not all of your stress is bad for you. Some types of stress can actually be beneficial and help motivate you towards achieving your personal goals. This type of stress is known as eustress, or “good stress”. Eustress can give you a boost of energy and help improve performance in certain situations.
Distress
On the other hand, distress refers to negative or harmful stress that can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental well-being. This can include stress caused by traumatic events, ongoing conflicts, or overwhelming responsibilities. It is important to address distress and seek support from a therapist or counselor to prevent it from leading to more serious issues.
Environmental factors
Apart from personal and internal stressors, external factors in our environment can also contribute to our overall stress levels. This can include noise pollution, crowded living conditions, or exposure to violence and crime. Being mindful of these environmental stressors and finding ways to reduce the significance of their impact on your daily life can help improve your overall well-being.
How can I learn more about stress management techniques available to me?
If you are struggling to find stress management solutions that help you keep your anxiety under control, it might be time to talk to a therapist. At Collective Counseling Solutions we can help you find a trained and skilled professional who can provide tried-and-true solutions to reduce and sometimes eliminate the common types of stress that impact your daily life!
