Differentiate between eustress and distress. Explain the different effects of stress with examples.

All the problems, challenges and difficult circumstances put us to stress.
Eustress is the term used to describe the level of stress that is good for you and is one of a person’s best assets for achieving peak performance and managing the minor crisis. Eustress, however, has the potential of turning into ‘distress’, this causes wear and tear.

Effects of stress on psychological functioning and health
1. Emotional effects Experience mood swings and show erratic behaviour that alienated them from family and friends. E.g. feeling of anxiety and depression, increased physical tension, increased psychological tension and mood swings.
2. Psychological effects Increased physical or psychological stress increases the production of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones produce marked changes in heart rates, blood pressure levels, metabolism and physical activities e.g. release of epinephrine and non-epinephrine, slow down of the digestive system, expansion of air passages in the lungs etc.
3. Cognitive effects Continued pressure due to stress may cause mental overload. This may make the sufferer lose his ability to make sound decisions. Poor concentration and reduced short-term memory capacity.
4. Behavioural effects Stress affects our behaviour in the form of eating less nutritional food, increasing intake of stimulants such as caffeine, excessive consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Some behavioural effects are disrupted sleep patterns, increased absenteeism and reduced work performance.