Distress, Eustress, and Stress

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Distress, Eustress, and Stress

What are the differences between "distress," "stress," and "eustress"?
  • "Distress" is extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
    • I want to live in a place where strangers rush to help someone in distress. (Writer Ian Mcewan)
  • "Stress" is something that causes a state of strain or tension. It can also mean to put emphasis or importance on something.
    • God will never give you anything you can't handle, so don't give in to stress. (Singer Kelly Clarkson)
  • "Eustress" is beneficial stress.
    • When we play games, we go into a psychological state called eustress, or positive stress. Like negative stress, eustress gets our adrenaline up and quickens our breathing rate and pulse. (Game designer Jane McGonigal)
distress, stress, and eustress
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More about "Distress," "Stress," and "Eustress"

Distress

"Distress" refers to extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

The word "distress" is usually seen as a noun, but it may also be used as a verb. There are different types of distress (e.g., financial distress, emotional distress).

Example sentences with "distress":
  • The distress in her voice was highly noticeable.
  • The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. (Political activist Thomas Paine)
  • I like a little bit of the fairy tale. Let others photograph the ugliness of the world. I don't want to distress people. (Film director Leo McCarey)
    • (Here, distress is a verb.)

Stress

The word stress has three common meanings:

(1) To place particular emphasis or importance on something.
  • I can't stress this enough.
    • (Here, "stress" is a verb.)
  • Did you put enough stress on the importance of this task?
    • (Here, "stress" is a noun.)
(2) To exert pressure or tension on a material.
  • The fabric looked stressed from being stretched.
    • (Here, "stress" is a verb.)
  • This looks like stress on the metal rod.
    • (Here, "stress" is a noun.)
(3) To cause mental or emotional tension (usually resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances).
  • I am stressing over the party.
    • (Here, "stress" is a verb.)
  • That's what it is to be a grandma. All fun and no stress. (Singer Marie Osmond)
    • (Here, "stress" is a noun.)

Eustress

The noun "eustress" means beneficial stress. It can be either psychological or physical.

Example sentences with "eustress":
  • Eustress fosters challenge and motivation since the goal is in sight.
  • Hargrove, Nelson, and Cooper described eustress as being focused on a challenge, fully present, and exhilarated.
Interactive Exercise
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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? Ms., Miss, or Mrs? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words