In the workplace, stress is often viewed as an inevitable part of most people’s job. However, there is a type of stress that can be beneficial: eustress. Unlike distress, which is negative and overwhelming, eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate and energise individuals. You’ve probably experienced eustress if you’ve ever been ‘in a state of flow’. That’s the mental state you achieve when you’re fully immersed in a task and feel a sense of energised focus, involvement and enjoyment in the activity. In this blog, we outline the benefits of achieving eustress in the workplace and how you can achieve it.
The benefits of eustress.
There are many benefits to individuals and organisations of achieving eustress in the workplace.
- Increased productivity – Eustress can lead to increased productivity by motivating you to take on new challenges and focus your energy on meaningful tasks.
- Improved mental health – Eustress can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of happiness and fulfillment. This can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.
- Increased creativity – Eustress can lead to increased creativity by encouraging you to think outside the box and explore new ideas and approaches.
- Improved relationships – Eustress can improve relationships in the workplace by promoting collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of shared purpose.
- Increased job satisfaction – Eustress can lead to increased job satisfaction by creating a sense of accomplishment, growth, and meaning in one’s work.
Achieving Eustress
That all sounds great, doesn’t it? So, how can you achieve it?
Set clear goals and priorities
One of the keys to achieving eustress in the workplace is to set clear goals and priorities. This allows you to focus your energy and efforts on tasks that are important and meaningful, rather than feeling overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. By breaking down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks, you can experience a sense of accomplishment and motivation as you complete each task, turning your to-do list into a ‘ta-da’ list!
Embrace challenges
Eustress is often associated with taking on new challenges and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. While it can be tempting to avoid difficult tasks or situations, embracing challenges can lead to increased confidence, growth, and motivation. By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, you can experience a sense of excitement and accomplishment as you tackle new tasks.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and aware of one’s thoughts and feelings. By practicing mindfulness you can increase your ability to focus and concentrate and reduce stress and anxiety. This can lead to a sense of calm and clarity, which can help you achieve eustress in the workplace.
Take breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout the workday is essential for achieving eustress. Research has shown that taking breaks can increase productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. By taking short breaks to stretch, go for a walk, or engage in other non-work-related activities, you can recharge your energy and feel more motivated and focused.
As you can see, eustress is a positive form of stress that can lead to increased motivation, productivity, and overall well-being in the workplace. By setting clear goals, embracing challenges, practicing mindfulness, and taking breaks, we can achieve eustress and experience the many benefits it has to offer.
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