Positive and Negative Stressors

[simplybyjenn]

To me the postive stress is just razitionalized as positive because it gives you something you deem as good in a more immediate state but internally I think our body is still impacted by that stress the same way as those we deem as negative stress. As someone with an automimmue and hormonal disorder, I am greatly impacted by stress and I have found that even during those times where I have had "positive" stressors, I am still feeling the internal impact by it. I can try to rationlize that the stress was positive but if I don't keep the stresses whether positive or negative in check, I am going to be experiencing negative side-effects.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

simplybyjenn wrote:
> To me the postive stress is just razitionalized as positive because it
> gives you something you deem as good in a more immediate state but
> internally I think our body is still impacted by that stress the same way
> as those we deem as negative stress. As someone with an automimmue and
> hormonal disorder, I am greatly impacted by stress and I have found that
> even during those times where I have had "positive" stressors, I
> am still feeling the internal impact by it. I can try to rationlize that
> the stress was positive but if I don't keep the stresses whether positive
> or negative in check, I am going to be experiencing negative side-effects.

I believe your explanation iterates that both stresses positive or negative should be controlled. Surprisingly, unlike I had perceived, failure to do so results in negative stress only.

[Astrolorraine]

I think of positive stress as the kind of stress you feel when trying to succeed at something you actually look forward to, like when taking an exam or planning an event. Negative stress on the other hand doesn't come with anything you look forward to, like the stress of commuting or dealing with toxic people. At least that's what I took from the book.

[Joseph WK]

Positive stress- trying to complete multiple tasks in a short time propts to be super immaculate and plan accordingly so that i don't confuse or mix them up. Which leadsgo very good results in a short period.

Negative stress- when things do not work out as I had anticipated really throws me which leads to stress

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

Astrolorraine wrote:
> I think of positive stress as the kind of stress you feel when trying to
> succeed at something you actually look forward to, like when taking an exam
> or planning an event. Negative stress on the other hand doesn't come with
> anything you look forward to, like the stress of commuting or dealing with
> toxic people. At least that's what I took from the book.

This is okay. From a reward comes satisfaction, which in most cases is a feeling that's attached to positivity. Nevertheless, negative stress doesn't always have to be lacking a reward. I'd generally put it as stress whose eventuality is a negative force that affects you or those around you, regardless of it having a reward or not.

[Kola+wole]

An example of positive stress is, not knowing what to expect but full of hope that it will work out.

[rahilshajahan]

Kola+wole wrote:
> An example of positive stress is, not knowing what to expect but full of
> hope that it will work out.

This makes a lot of sense. You are basically telling your brain everything is going to be alright and the task will be done without strenuous effort; thus avoiding negative stress.

[Laila Hashem]

I think everyone's stressors and whether they are negative or positive depend on the person. For me, that assignment would be negative because I am someone who is always stressed out by assignments and grades. I can't really think of a positive stressor for myself, but I do understand where the author is coming from when he says not all stress is bad. He is referring to circumstances that are beyond our control (so they stress us out), but force us to be productive or happy or to adapt any quality we want to have (so they are positive).

[X-XXXX-X]

Yes you're thinking right. I mean, if we didn't had some level of stress we would never do things. We usually call this "working under pressure", but what is good stress or bad stress will really depend on the person, situation, the level of stress and the outcome that this could bring.

Everything is really relative when it comes to human mind, so I can't really tell what would be a good stress for everybody.

[Howlan]

rahilshajahan wrote:
> Howlan wrote:
> > tjportugal wrote:
> > > Stephanie Elizabeth wrote:
> > > > I agree with you, and I have also, always, thought that stress was a
> > > > negative thing--probably because it is portrayed that way in our
> society. I
> > > > think a great example of stress being a positive thing is if a person
> knows
> > > > they are in danger, the stress causes a flight or fight response,
> which
> > > > can, as a result save your life. But if a person is always in a state
> of
> > > > panic, the flight or fight response is always active, even if there is
> no
> > > > threat, and that's when anxiety and stress can be detrimental.
> > >
> > > I agree with you. I think some types of stress can be positive in as much
> as
> > thay
> > > help us to be aware. However, it can turn negative when they disconnect
> from
> > reality.
> > > For example:
> > > Stress during combat can help a soldier be more focus. When the soldier
> returns
> > home
> > > and carries on the stress levels, that is no longer beneficial (i.e. PTSD).
> >
> > Yes, true. Stress as long as it is short-term and helps you achieve your goals
> it is
> > effective. However, the moment it goes long term it starts to affect you
> negatively.
>
> I think it comes down to chronicity again. Stress, even if short term, but in high
> amounts can be detrimental for a person. For example, working all day to provide for
> the family, but ending up with physical pains.

Yes, the concept is "too much to handle." If you take on the stress you cannot handle like chronic levels of stress as you mentioned it is harmful.

[Howlan]

xsquare wrote:
> Howlan wrote:
> > tjportugal wrote:
> > > Stephanie Elizabeth wrote:
> > > > I agree with you, and I have also, always, thought that stress was a
> > > > negative thing--probably because it is portrayed that way in our
> society. I
> > > > think a great example of stress being a positive thing is if a person
> knows
> > > > they are in danger, the stress causes a flight or fight response,
> which
> > > > can, as a result save your life. But if a person is always in a state
> of
> > > > panic, the flight or fight response is always active, even if there is
> no
> > > > threat, and that's when anxiety and stress can be detrimental.
> > >
> > > I agree with you. I think some types of stress can be positive in as much
> as
> > thay
> > > help us to be aware. However, it can turn negative when they disconnect
> from
> > reality.
> > > For example:
> > > Stress during combat can help a soldier be more focus. When the soldier
> returns
> > home
> > > and carries on the stress levels, that is no longer beneficial (i.e. PTSD).
> >
> > Yes, true. Stress as long as it is short-term and helps you achieve your goals
> it is
> > effective. However, the moment it goes long term it starts to affect you
> negatively.
>
> How about long term but low levels of stress? Some goals can't be achieved in the
> short term (e.g. an exam with a scheduled date still somewhat far in the future). My
> personal view is that long term low levels of stress can be a good motivator but when
> it gets too overwhelming, that's when stress becomes a bad thing.

I think if you take stress over a certain topic for a long time is not much useful. In most cases, if you stress over something for a long time, continued strain on your body can cause serious health problems.

[Howlan]

Laila_Hashem wrote:
> I think everyone's stressors and whether they are negative or positive
> depend on the person. For me, that assignment would be negative because I
> am someone who is always stressed out by assignments and grades. I can't
> really think of a positive stressor for myself, but I do understand where
> the author is coming from when he says not all stress is bad. He is
> referring to circumstances that are beyond our control (so they stress us
> out), but force us to be productive or happy or to adapt any quality we
> want to have (so they are positive).

One positive stressor I can think right off my mind is stress under a life-threatening situation. Increased adrenaline and increased brain activity can really be the thing that saves you in a dire situation.

[Howlan]

Kola+wole wrote:
> An example of positive stress is, not knowing what to expect but full of
> hope that it will work out.

If you are full of hope that can mean that you know that something good will happen. If that's the case then why do you need to stress for it?

[xsquare]

Joseph WK wrote:
> Positive stress- trying to complete multiple tasks in a short time propts
> to be super immaculate and plan accordingly so that i don't confuse or mix
> them up. Which leadsgo very good results in a short period.

I suppose if you're able to actually complete those tasks, then it becomes a positive stressor. Otherwise I would think if you couldn't complete your deadlines it might even turn into a greater source of stress!

[mpsmaster]

This was really insightful! If you think about it: it's possible to be totally absorbed in a complex task, for hours, maybe under preassure, and still feel good. It seems to be a matter of interest, sincere curiosity and excitement. A desire within to engage in an activity seems key to understand this. What do you think?