What are the first words that come to mind when you think about stress? If you are like most of us, when you think about stress you think about negative things: headaches, pressure, tension, and deadlines – too much to do and too little time to do it. You might even think about stress as a disease. Right?

This is a serious error in thinking.

Positive vs. Negative Stress

As long as we think of stress as negative, we will try to move it away from us, keep it at arm's length or try to prevent having stress in the first place.

In fact, stress is a life energy force in the body and is the key ingredient in optimal performance. Positive stress is actually essential and beneficial, and can be our strongest ally for leading stimulating healthy lives, filled with vitality and resilience. Essi Systems' Award-Winning StressMap^® can help you tell the difference between positive stress and negative stress.

Quick! Think of three positive stress words.

Did you think creativity, zeal, passion, excitement, or motivation? These are stress words as well. Positive stress words.

Remember to watch your language! When you mean negative stress say distress or negative stress. When you mean positive stress, say eustress or positive stress. Avoid using the word stress for all things negative.

Think about stress the way you think about blood pressure. High blood pressure or low blood pressure can be problematic, but you never want your blood pressure to go away completely. Same with stress.

When unregulated, uncontrolled or ignored, stress can be harmful to your health and wellbeing; too little stress can lead to apathy, atrophy, fatigue and illness. A major step toward successful stress management is to find and maintain a personal equilibrium, a balance that works for you at each stage of your life.

Balance your life with StressMap^®.