Stressed Out or Fired Up? It's All About How You Perceive It

Stress is a concept that is firmly established in our daily lives and is often regarded as something harmful. It can be both positive and negative, depending on an individual’s perception of a stressful situation. Therefore, stress can be of two types, namely, eustress and distress, as put forward by Hungarian-Canadian endocrinologist Hans Selye (1974).

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With the nature of work changing rapidly in our fast-paced society, we are often unable to meet with the demands of the workplace, leading to stress. Working individuals are bound to experience some level of stress due to increasing demands. According to a survey called “People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View,” 65% of workers globally said that stress adversely affects their work. A report published by Gallup, titled “State of the Global Workplace 2023,” mentions that 44% of employees worldwide experience work-related stress and shows a continuation of the “trend of elevated stress that began almost a decade earlier.” Work stress is the body’s emotional and physiological response when one is unable to cope with or meet the perceived demands of their workplace.  

The following are some factors that may cause work-related stress: -

• Interpersonal conflict in the workplace
• Poor working conditions
• Work-load
• Job ambiguity 
• Job insecurity
• Family demands
• Poor work-life balance
• Bullying and harassment
• Lack of training to do a job

     What is Distress?

Most people believe that stress is harmful and affects us mentally, emotionally and physically. This type of stress is often referred to as ‘distress’ because it has a negative impact on the individuals experiencing it. It makes one feel unpleasant, irritated, nervous, angry or impatient. Distress occurs when one perceives that they are unable to cope with stressful situations.

Effects of distress: -

• Emotional or physical exhaustion
• Lower productivity
• Absenteeism
• Substance use
• Withdrawal and isolation
• Depression
• Health issues
• Decreased concentration and ability to focus

    What is Eustress?

Stress can also be positive. Positive stress, often referred to as ‘eustress’ is beneficial as it pushes and energizes one to achieve their goals and overcome obstacles. “Eu” is the Greek prefix for good, therefore, eustress means good stress. Individuals experiencing eustress feel more motivated and can perform well at work. It has a positive effect on one’s mental and emotional well-being.

Effects of eustress: -

• Motivates to achieve goals
• Helps overcome challenges
• Builds resilience
• Increases concentration
• Improves performance
• Provides a sense of achievement and happiness

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Eustress vs Distress

Just like distress, eustress also feels challenging, but it’s manageable, and one can cope with it. Eustress usually occurs in those situations where a person feels confident in their abilities (high perceived self-efficacy), unlike distress, which occurs when one’s perceived self-efficacy is low. Self-efficacy refers to one’s belief in their ability to achieve goals. Similar to distress, eustress can make you feel nervous, cause your heart to beat fast, give you racing thoughts, and increase sweating. The difference between distress and eustress lies in how one perceives a challenging situation and the physical changes associated with it, as mindset is an important factor in determining distress and eustress. Distress makes one feel overwhelmed, angry, afraid and irritated. Eustress, on the other hand, produces positive feelings, making one feel energized, excited, and motivated. An optimistic mindset helps one respond positively to stressors.

 

So is it all about how you perceive it?

Humans respond uniquely to stress. Whether one experiences eustress or distress depends on their subjective perception of the stressful situation. For example, while some may find work-related relocation stressful and overwhelming, others may view it as an invigorating and exciting opportunity, offering a fresh start.

According to the Demands Control Model proposed by Robert Karasek in the late 1970s, when employees face high demands at their workplace and have little control over their work, it leads to stress. However, recent research suggests that the interplay between work demands and control may be more complex than what was initially put forward by Karasek.

One such study by Toker et al. (2012) found that people who face high demands and have low control over their work display higher levels of blood glucose. On the other hand, those who face high demands and feel they have high control over their work display lower levels of blood glucose and higher self-efficacy. The experience of stress is therefore tied to one’s perception of having control over their work (stressor). Thus, the more an individual believes they have control over a stressor, the higher is their self-efficacy. This increased self-efficacy makes it more likely for them to perceive the stressor positively, resulting in eustress.

However, it is important to keep in mind that despite its benefits, eustress is still a type of stress, and if it becomes too intense or lasts too long, it can transform into distress. In such cases, one should use stress management techniques to cope with the situation.