Why Some Stress Actually Helps You Perform Better

We often refer to all types of stress just as “stress” but there is a difference between eustress (good stress) and distress (bad stress). When we make this distinction, we’re able to clearly see how some stress can be a useful tool (is, in fact, necessary) for increasing productivity. This week, episode 205 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about why some stress actually helps you perform better. 

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I share how different levels of stress impact our well-being and productivity and give you actionable steps to take right now to find the right balance of stress to get into a state of focus and flow.

I cover the following topics:

• Stress itself is neither good nor bad, but our response to stressors determines whether or not it serves us.
• Examples of how stress can increase short-term performance and focus by boosting adrenaline. 
• The Yerkes-Dodson law that shows us the relationship between arousal (i.e., stress) and performance. 
• Types of arousal (mental, emotional, or physical) and factors that affect your level of arousal.   

Like everything else, it all comes down to self-awareness. You will know when you’re in the optimal range of stress when your mental capacity, attentiveness, processing speed, and ability to learn and make decisions are at their best.  

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

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Chapters

• 0:00 Why Some Stress Can Help You Perform Better
• 1:50 Stress management and its impact on productivity.
• 3:40 Stress can be helpful in increasing performance, as it releases adrenaline and focuses attention.
• 7:36 The Yerkes-Dodson law and its impact on motivation, highlighting the importance of mental, emotional, and physical arousal.
• 9:18 Factors such as workload, environment, sleep, stress, and personality traits affect the level of arousal needed for focus.