How Stress Can Positively Impact Your Hormones

Medical Reviewed By Lucas Rosa

PhD in Molecular Biology

Eustress is the positive type of stress that benefits our hormonal health and overall well-being.

Understanding Stress

When stressed, our bodies elicit a fight-or-flight response by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that prepare us to either fight or flee from a threatening situation. 

It is a natural human response that can guide us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree, and the way we respond to it makes a big difference in our overall well-being and hormones.

If stress is not managed properly or if it is prolonged for long periods, it can lead to negative health outcomes. Short-term stress can be motivating, but if sustained for long term or unmanaged, it can lead to depression. There is a healthy amount of stress that can stimulate us to take action.

Eustress

Eustress releases stress hormones in small amounts for short periods of time and heightens our reactions temporarily without experiencing the long-term negative effects of stress. It is the type of stress that encourages and enables us to take on whatever comes our way.

This type of stress is good for us and can lead us to achieve new accomplishments, grow individually, and experience new things.

It can have immediate and positive impacts such as concentration, motivation, or resilience. These feelings can instill a sense of purpose, happiness, and fulfillment. Eustress is positive stress that is beneficial for our overall health.

Eustress is the excitement, heightened focus, and motivation we feel when we take on a new challenge or encounter an obstacle. It's the thrill of a big project, the anticipation of a vacation, or the joy of a new relationship. 

Eustress' Impact on Adrenaline & Cortisol

When we experience eustress, our bodies release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are often associated with negative stress, but they can have positive effects when released in short bursts.

Adrenaline and Cortisol Can:

• Boost energy levels - Adrenaline gives you a surge of energy by converting glycogen into glucose.
• Improve vision - Adrenaline causes your pupils to dilate which improves your vision.
• Boost physical performance - Adrenaline causes the heart to pump faster and the blood to circulate faster which allows oxygen to get to your muscles faster.
• Enhance cognitive function - Cortisol helps create stronger memories and adrenaline increases our mental concentration.
• Strengthen the immune system - Cortisol can boost the immune system by suppressing inflammation.
• Help control metabolism - Cortisol helps control how our bodies use fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
• Help control the sleep-wake cycle - Cortisol stimulates wakefulness and supports alertness during the day.
  

There are many positive functions that these hormones have in our bodies, but to accomplish some of these things, these hormones raise blood sugar and blood pressure.

They are powerful hormones that help us greatly in times of trouble, but producing them for prolonged periods can lead to hormonal imbalances and negative health consequences.

How To Create Eustress

You can create eustress in your life by setting achievable goals. Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable, and practical steps. By doing this, these goals can put challenges in your life that don't overwhelm you, but instead motivate you.

Also, stepping outside of your comfort zone can create eustress in your life. Try new and unexperienced things. You can take on new responsibilities, go to a social event you never went to before, or develop a new skill.

By understanding the positive impact of eustress and practicing the correct implementation of it, you can create ways to keep yourself motivated.

Conclusion

Eustress is the positive form of stress that can be a powerful tool for personal growth and improving overall well-being. By implementing eustress into your life, you can experience the benefits of heightened focus, increased motivation, and a sense of purpose.

Remember, the key is to find a balance between being challenged and not overwhelmed. By embracing eustress and managing stress effectively, you can boost your hormonal health and overall well-being.

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