Types of Stress You Must Know About

Laughing can help you manage stress by lowering the levels of stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline.

In today's fast-paced competitive world, stress is unavoidable. It is our body's instinctive response to a particular situation, thought, or feeling. Stress can come from various sources, right from a hectic work schedule to the loss of a loved one or a troubled relationship. Irrespective of the source, stress can always be managed with lifestyle changes.

For example, a work-related change can be perceived by some as an opportunity to learn new things, while others may feel anxious as they have to learn new things and face new challenges. So, our reaction to a particular stressor depends to a great extent on how we perceive it.

Stress can be 'good' or 'bad', though the term 'stress' is usually used to mean only bad stress. Apart from good and bad stress, there are several other types of stress you must know about for better and efficient stress management.

Eustress is the positive form of stress. It is the good stress that can stimulate a person to perform better by making him or her work and think faster. A person can perceive a particular situation, such as a new job, or meeting a famous personality, as exciting as well as inspiring.

This type of stress is termed as eustress, and is not physically and psychologically harmful for an individual. Rather, this type of stress can have a positive effect on the health and performance of an individual, at least in the short run.

Distress, or what we commonly term as stress, is the type that has a negative effect on our health and emotional well-being. Distress often produces intense emotions, like anger, irritation, fear, and anxiety or panic. Sometimes, distress can also manifest in physical symptoms, like palpitation, shortness of breath, and a rise in blood pressure.

Though acute stress lasts only for a short duration, it almost always demands a response. Acute stress often produces the 'flight or fight' response in an individual. A job interview, or an exam for which you have not prepared adequately are some examples of acute stress.

The symptoms of acute stress can be easily identified. Such symptoms can include emotional distress, headaches, migraines, increased heart rate, palpitation, dizziness, shortness of breath, cold hands or feet, and excessive sweating.

People suffering from acute episodic distress are always in a hurry. This type of stress can cause work-related problems, besides deteriorating interpersonal relationships. The most common symptoms of acute episodic stress are irritability, persistent tension headaches, migraines, hypertension, and chest pain.

Chronic distress is the stress that persists for a long time. Chronic stress usually stems from a long-lasting event or circumstance that cannot be controlled. Poverty, feeling trapped in a detestable career, a troubled relationship, and a traumatized childhood experience are some examples of events or circumstances that can cause chronic stress.

Sometimes stress or distress is classified into several other categories, like physical, chemical, emotional, mental, traumatic, and psycho-spiritual. Dr. Karl Albrecht, a management consultant, lecturer, and author has defined four types of stress in his book, 'Stress and the Manager'.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.