Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and the workplace is no exception. But while we often think of stress as something negative—burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion—there’s a lesser-known counterpart that can actually improve performance, increase motivation, and enhance well-being. This form of stress is called eustress.
Derived from the Greek word “eu,” meaning good, eustress refers to the positive side of stress that arises when we face challenges that we feel equipped to handle. Unlike distress, which is debilitating, eustress is invigorating and can lead to personal growth, job satisfaction, and peak performance. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of eustress, how it manifests in the workplace, and how managers and employees alike can harness its benefits.
Understanding Eustress
Eustress is a psychological concept introduced by endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1970s as part of his broader theory of stress. While distress refers to the type of stress that leads to negative outcomes like anxiety and illness, eustress is the kind of stress that motivates us to take action, stretch our abilities, and overcome challenges.
Eustress occurs when we perceive a challenge as within our capabilities to meet, offering an opportunity for growth. It’s the feeling of anticipation before a big presentation, the adrenaline surge when you’re nearing a project deadline, or the excitement of learning a new skill that pushes you out of your comfort zone. In these moments, the body responds with increased energy and focus, helping you rise to the occasion.
The Key Characteristics of Eustress
Several characteristics distinguish eustress from distress, particularly in the workplace:
- Goal-Oriented: Eustress is linked to tasks or challenges that are goal-oriented. Employees experience eustress when they’re working toward a specific, meaningful objective that stretches their abilities without overwhelming them.
- Short-Term and Manageable: Eustress is typically short-term and arises in situations where individuals feel in control. There’s a clear beginning and end to the challenge, and while it may be difficult, it’s manageable.
- Perceived as Motivating: Eustress fosters a sense of excitement and engagement, often making people feel energized rather than depleted. It drives action and motivates people to perform at their best.
- Linked to Personal Growth: Eustress is often connected to learning and personal development. When employees take on challenging but achievable tasks, they are more likely to acquire new skills, gain confidence, and experience a sense of achievement.
Eustress vs. Distress in the Workplace
While both eustress and distress are physiological responses to challenges, their impact on employees is vastly different. Distress occurs when demands exceed a person’s ability to cope, leading to frustration, anxiety, and burnout. It’s what happens when workloads become unmanageable, deadlines are unrealistic, or employees feel unsupported.
Eustress, on the other hand, arises when individuals feel challenged but capable. The demands are high, but so is the perceived ability to meet them. Instead of feeling defeated, employees experiencing eustress feel energized and focused, which leads to greater engagement, higher job satisfaction, and better performance.
Consider an example from project management. If an employee is given an overly complex project with insufficient resources and time, they will likely experience distress. They may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and ultimately disengaged. However, if the same employee is given a challenging but achievable project with the right resources, they’ll experience eustress. The challenge will push them to be creative and resourceful, leading to a more fulfilling experience.
The Impact of Eustress on Performance
One of the most significant benefits of eustress in the workplace is its impact on performance. Research has consistently shown that people perform best under moderate stress levels. When employees experience eustress, they’re more likely to be focused, engaged, and productive.
A moderate amount of stress increases adrenaline and sharpens concentration, allowing employees to work more efficiently and creatively. In contrast, when stress is too low, employees may feel bored or disengaged, while too much stress can lead to exhaustion and errors. Eustress provides the ideal middle ground—just enough pressure to drive optimal performance without tipping into overwhelm.
The relationship between eustress and performance can be visualized using the Yerkes-Dodson Law, a psychological model that demonstrates how performance increases with physiological or mental arousal (stress) up to a certain point. Beyond that point, too much stress leads to a decline in performance. Eustress exists at the peak of this curve, where employees feel motivated and challenged without feeling overwhelmed.
Eustress and Job Satisfaction
Another key benefit of eustress is its strong correlation with job satisfaction. When employees experience eustress, they feel more engaged in their work and are more likely to find it meaningful. This, in turn, increases overall satisfaction and reduces turnover.
Workplaces that foster eustress provide employees with opportunities for growth and advancement, which is crucial for long-term job satisfaction. Eustress occurs when people are pushed just outside their comfort zone but still feel supported and equipped to succeed. This balance between challenge and capability creates a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that keeps employees motivated.
In fact, Leadership IQ’s study “Are SMART Goals Dumb?” found that people who set difficult and audacious goals were 34% more likely to love their jobs. This is because difficult goals—when they align with employees’ capabilities—create eustress, stimulating engagement and providing a sense of purpose. Employees who are given these kinds of challenges are more likely to be excited about their work and less likely to feel disengaged or burned out.
How to Foster Eustress in the Workplace
Creating an environment where eustress thrives requires intentional effort from both managers and employees. Here are some strategies to foster eustress in the workplace:
- Set Challenging but Achievable Goals
One of the most effective ways to generate eustress is by setting goals that are difficult but attainable. When goals are too easy, employees become bored; when they’re too hard, employees experience distress. The key is to find the sweet spot where the goal stretches their abilities but remains within reach.
Leadership IQ’s research shows that top executives are 64% more likely to set difficult goals than frontline employees. This suggests that difficult goals are a key driver of success and fulfillment in the workplace. Managers should encourage employees to set audacious goals that require them to grow and learn new skills, which can lead to eustress and higher engagement.
- Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth
Eustress is often linked to personal growth and development. Employees are more likely to experience eustress when they’re learning new skills or taking on new challenges. Providing opportunities for continuous learning—through training programs, mentorship, or stretch assignments—can help employees feel engaged and motivated.
When employees are given the chance to grow, they’re more likely to see challenges as opportunities rather than threats. This shift in mindset fosters eustress and enhances job satisfaction. Learning new skills also increases employees' confidence, making them more resilient in the face of future challenges.
- Offer Support and Resources
While eustress thrives on challenges, it’s important to provide employees with the resources they need to succeed. Eustress only occurs when individuals feel equipped to meet the demands placed on them. If employees don’t have the necessary tools, information, or support, they will quickly transition from eustress to distress.
Managers should ensure that employees have access to the resources they need to accomplish their tasks. This includes providing adequate training, offering guidance, and fostering a collaborative environment where employees feel supported. By removing unnecessary obstacles, managers can help employees focus on the challenge itself rather than the logistics, which fosters eustress.
- Encourage Autonomy and Ownership
Eustress is more likely to occur when employees have a sense of control over their work. Micromanagement can turn what might otherwise be a positive challenge into a source of distress. Conversely, giving employees autonomy and ownership over their projects allows them to approach challenges in their own way, which fosters a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
When employees feel empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work, they are more likely to experience eustress. Autonomy allows them to tackle challenges with creativity and confidence, which leads to better performance and greater job satisfaction.
- Recognize and Celebrate Achievements
Recognition is a powerful motivator and can reinforce the positive effects of eustress. When employees successfully navigate a challenge and achieve their goals, it’s important to acknowledge their efforts. This not only boosts morale but also encourages employees to take on future challenges.
Celebrating achievements—whether through formal recognition programs or simple expressions of gratitude—reinforces the link between hard work and positive outcomes. It also creates a culture where challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth rather than sources of stress, which fosters eustress.
Eustress and Burnout: Striking the Balance
While eustress can be a powerful tool for enhancing performance and job satisfaction, it’s important to strike a balance. Even positive stress, if left unchecked, can contribute to burnout over time. The key is to ensure that employees are given adequate time to recover between periods of intense effort.
Managers should be mindful of workload distribution and ensure that employees have the opportunity to rest and recharge. Encouraging regular breaks, promoting work-life balance, and providing mental health resources can help prevent burnout while still fostering a culture of eustress.
It’s also crucial to recognize that not all stressors will lead to eustress. Some challenges may be too overwhelming or poorly aligned with an employee’s skills, leading to distress instead. Managers should remain attuned to employees' well-being and adjust workloads or expectations as needed to maintain a healthy level of stress.
Conclusion: The Power of Eustress at Work
Eustress is a vital yet often overlooked component of a healthy and productive workplace. When employees experience eustress, they feel energized, engaged, and motivated to perform at their best. By setting challenging goals, providing opportunities for growth, and offering support, managers can foster an environment where eustress thrives.
Ultimately, eustress helps employees tap into their full potential, leading to higher performance, greater job satisfaction, and long-term career success. In a world where burnout is all too common, understanding and harnessing the power of eustress may be the key to creating a more motivated and resilient workforce.
