The Fine Line Between 'Good and Bad' STRESS

The Yerkes-Dodson Law explains that there is a threshold for eustress (good) that leads to optimal performance (we need some stress in our life to motivate us to do well and keep us going), but anything beyond that threshold leads to symptoms of anxiety or distress (bad). It's like the saying that many things are actually good, but only in moderation! Could you imagine if you had a job that did not motivate you in any way and was completely boring? You'd be in a rut! On the other hand...self-care and coping skills will help us to make sure we are not falling into the right side of the threshold, where stress can be quite unhealthy. In fact, too much stress does a lot to negatively affect our health and well-being. It's all about balance.

Yerkes-Dodson Law