Eustress = Use Stress
Remove the fear of stress and learn how to turn it to your advantage with the help of Anthony Robbins.
In a world where stress seems to have become an inevitable companion in our daily lives, it's essential to understand not all stress is detrimental. While distress can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained, there exists a positive counterpart known as eustress. Distress can lead to harmful health outcomes and decreased productivity, whereas eustress propels us towards success and creates a healthy balance in our lives.
WHAT IS EUSTRESS?
Eustress is a term coined by endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1970s and later popularised by motivational guru Anthony Robbins. It is derived from the Greek prefix eu (good) and stress, literally meaning "good stress", the positive form of stress that is characterized by feelings of excitement, motivation, and fulfilment.
Me showing the benefits of controlled stress on the body at the end of the last millennium (pictured )
As a former competitive bodybuilder, I know first hand what is required to grow muscle in the form of training stress. Without adequate demands, the muscles have no reason to adapt and grow. Even maintaining your physique requires a measure of training stress; otherwise your muscles quickly wither and lose strength.
Similarly, the challenge of facing the other competitors both stressed me out (especially since the reigning National champ was featured on the poster on the wall of the gym where I trained) and motivated me to be at my best on the day (yes, I beat him - just!).
It is not much of a stretch to see everyday stress and personal development in the same light.
Other common examples of Eustress:
• Beginning a new job or changing careers.
• Embarking on a new business venture.
• Planning a wedding or organising a significant event.
• Pursuing personal goals such as running a marathon or learning to play an instrument.
• Following a prompt from the Holy Spirit in the form of a conviction, Bible verse or suggestion from a trusted brother or sister in the faith
• Preparing for an exam or presentation.
• Taking on a challenging new hobby or skill, or embarking on projects in familiar pastimes that stretch our capabilities.
• Engaging in adventurous activities like skydiving, or traveling to unfamiliar destinations.
• Starting or extending a family - I can personally attest to parenting as being one of the most difficult yet rewarding parts of my life.
• Engaging in public speaking/creating video content for social media (the latter being an example close to my heart).
THE POSITIVE ROLE OF EUSTRESS IN OUR LIVES
While distress can lead to burnout and negatively impact our physical and mental health, eustress provides us with the motivation and energy needed to successfully tackle life's challenges. Many biblical figures demonstrated great courage under seemingly insurmountable circumstances to affect miraculous outcomes including Moses, David, Peter, Paul and, of course, Jesus.
