Health Notes - Mental Health

Stress

How you perceive a challenge, which determines whether you will experience positive or negative stress.

Stressor

Anything that causes stress; it can be real or imagined.

Distress

"Bad stress" caused by something negative or by taking on more stress than you can handle.

Eustress

"Good stress," which is pleasant and may push you to excel.

Biological stressors

Biochemical imbalances, mental or physical illnesses, disabilities, or injuries.

Environmental stressors

Factors like poverty, pollution, crowding, noise, or natural disasters that cause stress.

Cognitive or thinking stressors

The way you perceive situations or what you expect from them.

Personal behavior stressors

Negative reactions caused by lifestyle choices such as using drugs or not exercising.

Life situations

Events like the death of a relative or pet, parental separation, or relational issues that lead to stress.

Resiliency

The ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty, or crisis.