Is Stress Always Bad for You? Not Quite.

When we think of stress, we usually picture the bad kind — anxiety, overwhelm, burnout. And yes, chronic stress can wreak havoc on everything from sleep and digestion to hormones and skin. But not all stress is harmful. In fact, some stress is actually good for you.

The Good Kind: Eustress

This is the type of stress that motivates you — like the adrenaline rush before a presentation, or the push that gets you through a tough workout. It’s called eustress, and it helps you focus, rise to challenges, and grow.

Short bursts of stress can:

• Sharpen your brain
• Boost resilience
• Improve physical performance
• Help you adapt to change

The Not-So-Good Kind: Chronic Stress

Problems start when stress becomes chronic — when your body doesn’t get a chance to come down from that alert state. Over time, this can disrupt hormone production, deplete energy, and make symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, and low immunity worse.

So… How Do You Work With Stress, Not Against It?

The goal isn’t to eliminate stress entirely — it’s to build a better relationship with it. Think balance, not avoidance.

A few gentle ways to support your body:

• Sip calming herbal teas (like chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm)
• Embrace rituals that calm your nervous system
• Social connection- talking with family/friends reduces cortisol levels. Sharing worries with someone you trust reduces stress hormones.
• Nature time- trees, fresh air,and open skies have a calming effect on the nervous system
• Nourish your adrenal glands with adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca
• Move your body regularly — even just a walk counts
• Prioritise rest and boundaries (yes, really)

Stress is inevitable , but how we meet it makes all the difference . With small, daily choices – you can create little moments of peace that add up to a calmer, more balanced you.