Stress often gets a bad reputation. When we hear the word, we usually think of overwhelming workloads, tight deadlines, and the anxiety that comes with them. However not all stress is created equal. While too much stress can lead to burnout and decreased productivity, the right amount, i.e. good stress, can boost focus, enhance performance, and drive success.
Understanding the difference between good stress and bad stress is key to ensuring stress works for you rather than against you. For Stress Awareness Month, we’re exploring how to identify, harness, and use stress to your advantage in the workplace.
Understanding good stress vs bad stress
While too much stress can be overwhelming and harmful, a certain level of pressure can actually be beneficial. The key is understanding the difference between good stress and bad stress, and recognising how your mind and body react to both.
Good stress is the type of stress that motivates and pushes you to perform at your best. It’s a feeling of excitement and the adrenaline rush of a new challenge. However, bad stress is when stress becomes too much to handle and instead of boosting performance, it can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and reduced efficiency.
The two types of stress can, unfortunately, feel quite similar at first as both trigger an increase in heart rate and heightened alertness, and the surge of adrenaline can be misunderstood.
Practical tip: to ensure good stress doesn’t escalate into distress, regularly check in with yourself. If you notice signs of panic, pause and practice deep breathing, break tasks into smaller steps, or take a short walk to reset your mind.
How to use stress to your advantage
Instead of seeing stress as a threat, try using it as a tool to enhance your productivity and professional growth. Here are some strategies to harness good stress and keep it from turning into distress:
Reframe stress as a challenge
Rather than dreading and actively avoiding stressful situations, view them as opportunities to showcase your skills. Mind over matter can be a big part of maintaining good stress!
Use stress as a focus and performance tool
Stress can naturally sharpen focus, so use it to your advantage by setting clear goals and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (25-minutes work sprints with short breaks) can help you to maintain energy.
Develop resilience through experience
In fast-paced working environments like hospitality and sales, stress is often inevitable. But the good news is that they will help you build resilience, adaptability and decision-making skills, all of which are invaluable for career growth.
Recognise your stress limits
Even good stress can become overwhelming if not managed properly. Keep track of how stress is affecting your performance and well-being and if you notice bad stress taking over, take proactive steps to slow down, delegate tasks, or talk to your manager about your concerns.
Stress doesn’t have to only be a negative. When managed correctly, good stress can be an excellent tool for motivation and achievement. By recognising the differences between good and bad stress, you can reframe challenges as opportunities.
Next time you feel the pressure mounting, take a step back and ask yourself; is this stress helping me, or is it holding me back? If it's the former, lean into it. If it’s the latter, take steps to regain control.
If you need support with finding a new job or career, or help with recruiting for your business, get in touch with our expert recruitment team at
www.berryrecruitment.co.uk today and let us help you achieve your career goals.
