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Good Stress, Bad Stress & How to Tell the Difference
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Hey there, Yogi
We’ve talked about stress many times, breathing through tax-day anxiety, easing tight hips, and even forest bathing for mental clarity.
But we rarely talk about a secret side of stress that can be your ally, not your enemy.
As Stress Awareness Week rolls around, instead of urging you to “avoid stress.“
Let’s explore eustress, the positive kind of stress that arises in challenging but manageable situations.
Ready to rethink stress? Let’s dive in.
Yoga Deep Dive
Eustress vs. Distress
Psychologists describe eustress as a state that energizes and motivates you and helps you develop new skills and resilience.
When you embrace it, it can lead to greater satisfaction in both work and personal life.
Surprisingly, believing stress is inherently bad is what often makes it harmful.
We usually lump all stress together, but there are two very different experiences:
Distress: This is what we usually complain about; overwhelm, racing thoughts, tension. It happens when demands exceed our perceived resources.
Eustress: This is the “sweet spot” where a challenge stretches us without breaking us.
Think of the nervous excitement before teaching a new class or learning a new pose.
It enhances focus, sharpens memory, and builds confidence.
Why do we miss it?
If we label all stress as bad, we miss growth opportunities.
Research shows that reframing stress, seeing it as a tool rather than a threat, can transform our physiological response.
By noticing when stress feels like excitement or creative tension, we train ourselves to harness it instead of fighting it.
How to cultivate more eustress
1. Reframe challenges
When something feels intimidating,
ask: “What can this teach me?”
2. Choose micro‑habits that nudge growth
Psychologists suggest simple actions like:
Solve pain points quickly: Don’t endure little irritations; fix them when they occur.
Build in habit disruptions: Intentionally shake up routines to stay adaptable.
Pause before impulsive decisions: A short pause before hitting “buy” or “reply” reduces regret and stress.
3. Notice the “sweet spot”
If you feel stretched but curious, you’re in eustress; if you feel overwhelmed and shut down, it’s distress. Adjust accordingly.
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Practice of The Day
Dynamic Crescent Lunge Flow
To embody eustress, try a flow that builds heat and focus but stays mindful.
This dynamic crescent lunge sequence invites you to lean into challenge while noticing your breath and body cues.
From Downward Dog step your right foot forward and rise into Crescent Lunge.
Pulse gently: On an inhale straighten the front leg slightly, on an exhale bend deeper. Repeat 5–8 times.
Twist: Plant your left hand on the floor, reach your right arm up, and take three deep breaths.
Switch sides and notice: Do you feel energized and steady (eustress) or strained and shaky (distress)? Adjust the depth of the bend or take a Child’s Pose between sides.
Tip: Poses that build heat help you recognize and work with positive stress. If it becomes too intense, slow down and reconnect with your breath.
Yoga in Everyday Life
Micro‑habits for Stress Alchemy
Eustress isn’t limited to the mat. It shows up every time life asks you to stretch — just enough to grow.
Here’s how to notice and work with it through your day:
🌅 Morning
Instead of avoiding the hardest task, pick one small stretch for your confidence.
Try a pose you usually skip.
Speak up in a meeting.
Walk without your phone.
That flutter you feel? That’s energy, not anxiety.
☕ Midday:
When tension hits, turn it into focus:
Long line at the store? Do standing breaths and feel your feet.
Stuck in traffic? Practice slow exhales to steady your pulse.
Tight deadline? Pause for one minute of conscious breathing before you start.
Stress transforms when you stay present.
🌙 Evening:
Before bed, name one moment that challenged you in a good way.
“I said no today, that was growth.”
“I held Crow Pose for two breaths; that was courage.”
“I paused instead of reacting; that was control.”
🧠 The Habit Trick
Anchor this reflection to something automatic:
Right after brushing your teeth
When making tea
Before turning off your phone for the night
Pairing it with an existing cue makes it part of your nervous system, not your to-do list.
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🌙 Closing Reflection
Stress doesn’t have to be the enemy.
There’s a version of it, eustress, that powers your growth, builds resilience, and even improves your health and happiness.
The key is awareness: notice when stress feels like excitement and lean in, and when it feels overwhelming, pause and tend to yourself.
Forward this issue to a friend who needs a new perspective on stress; it could turn their next challenge into a moment of empowerment.
With warmth,
The Yoga Daily Team
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