Eustress is like having a little extra energy when you're excited about something fun.
Imagine you're getting ready for your favorite game. You’re not nervous or tired, you're happy and ready to play. That’s eustress! It's the kind of stress that helps you do better because it comes from something good, like a party, a new friend, or even a fun challenge.
What Makes Eustress Special
Eustress is not like when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to school, that’s more like distress, which feels bad. But eustress is more like getting a surprise ice cream cone before lunch. It makes your heart beat faster, but it's exciting and fun.
When you feel eustress, your body gets ready to do something cool, just like how a toy car zooms forward when you push it, it’s all ready to go!
Examples
- A student gets excited before an exam because they feel ready and confident.
- An athlete feels energized before a competition.
- A person enjoys the rush of starting a new job.
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See also
- What are stress responses?
- Why Do People Get Stressed Out by the Same Things Over and Over?
- What is cortisol?
- How Does Stress Adaptation Response Work?
- How Does Robert Sapolsky: The Psychology of Stress Work?