Eustress can be defined as stress that is healthy or gives one a feeling of fulfillment. Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6) Copyright © 2003-2005 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC (see here)

Distress versus eustress

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Distress is the most commonly-referred to type of stress, having negative implications, whereas eustress is a positive, desirable form of stress. Both can be equally taxing on the body, and are cumulative in nature.

Etymology

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The prefix derives from the Greek eu meaning either "well" or "good". When attached to the word "stress", it literally means "good stress". In both the word "eustress" and its antonym "distress", the prefixes dis- and eu- refer to the stressor, and not the impact of the stressor.

Examples of causes of eustress

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• Meeting a challenge
• Coming in first or winning
• Getting a promotion
• Marriage
• Birth of a baby
• The holidays
• Buying a new home
• Going on a roller coaster ride

References

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External links

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• Eustress at Whole Health Stress Management Lecture
• About.Com Article on Eustress

See also

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• Distress
• Hans Selye

Psychological conditions