Stress is the body's non-specific response to stressors in the environment. Stress, then, is the mental and physical wear and tear we experience in our lives. It can be both positive known as eustress and negative called distress. Eustress is healthy while distress is not. What is one's person's eustress may be another person's distress since we all perceive situations differently. One co-worker may perceive giving a presentation as eustress while another perceives it as distress. (Cavanagh, M. E. (1988)) The main distinction between eustress and distress is the damage effected on the body. Positive stress (such as getting married) triggers the stress alarm in the body. There is an increased heart rate and perspiration signaling stress. But the negative effects on the body are usually temporary and short term. Distress, conversely, generally takes a greater toll on the body. It is the continual sounding of the stress alarm that damages the body. Stress can create a number of disorders of the body. Those who eat too much, drink too much, smoke too much or use drugs often find stress at the root of their excesses. Stress can cause insomnia, ulcers, heart disease and even suicidal tendencies to name just a few problems.(Cavanagh, M. E. (1988)) Our perception, then, of various stressors determines if it is eustress or distress and then eventual damage that will be inflicted on our bodies.
Certain personality types are more prone to stress than others. The Type A personality experiences more stress. This personality is characterized by clock watching, always working, fast walking, fast talking and generally competitive. The Type B personality is just the opposite. Those who are Type A personalities tend to have approximately five times as many heart attacks as the Type B personalities. A certain amount of stress can serve as a motivator.............
