Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Good stress vs. bad stress

While factors like life experience, home environment, and financial resources influence how different people respond to a perceived stressful situation, there is a concept that not all stress is bad. Good stress (“eustress”) is stress that feels challenging but manageable and gives a feeling of growth or reward, whereas bad stress (“distress”) is difficult and results in something negative. The same event can result in different reactions from different people. Repeated stressful events make it harder for the body to naturally return to the baseline of relaxation. Often, people may not even realize that the symptoms they’re feeling—sleeping issues, headaches, lack of focus—are related to stress. Learn more about good and bad stress.