Use the arrows to navigate
The different types of
stress
Understand how stress affects your body and mind, depending on its form.
STRESS CATEGORIES
There are two main ways to categorise stress. Click on the interactive buttons below.
By duration or frequency: acute stress and chronic stress.
By emotional valence: eustress and distress.
STRESS CATEGORIES
duration or frequency TYPE
Acute stress and chronic stress
Acute Stress
Acute stress is an immediate, intense, and short-term form of stress. It appears when your body sees a situation as urgent or threatening (e.g., danger, a challenge, a surprise, an emergency). It’s a natural, protective reaction that is often helpful — but sometimes unsettling.
acute Stress
Typical Examples
Click on the arrow on each card to flip it.
A mother who reacts instinctively to protect her child from danger.
A teenage girl who hears a worrying noise when she gets home.
A student who is suddenly called to answer in front of the whole class.
Example 3
Example 2
Example 1
Acute Stress
Possible effects of acute stress
✔️
+ click here
+ click here
chronic stress
Chronic stress happens when a stressor lasts for a long time — weeks, months, or even years — and your body stays in a prolonged state of alert. Over time, it slowly wears you down.
chronic stress
Typical Examples
Click on the arrow on each card to flip it.
Une mère qui réagit instinctivement pour protéger son enfant d’un danger.
A student who is under constant pressure to succeed, without receiving emotional support.
A young person who is repeatedly bullied at school by other students.
A teenage girl living in a family environment marked by conflict.
Un élève qu’on appelle à répondre à l’improviste devant toute la classe.
Example 3
Exemple 3
Example 2
Exemple 2
Example 1
chronic stress
Possible effects of chronic stress
⚠️
+ click here
+ click here
STRESS CATEGORIES
emotional valence Type
Eustress et Distress
Eustress
Definition
Eustress (from the Greek eu = good) refers to positive stress — the “good stress.” It appears when you face a challenge that you believe you can handle. It pushes you forward in a helpful, motivating way.
Eustress
What eustress produces in you:
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Typical Eustress Examples
Click on the interactive buttons below.
Preparing a presentation or starting a project you’re excited about: you feel a bit of tension, but mostly excitement.
Taking part in a competition or contest you chose: you’re nervous, but motivated.
How good stress helps you grow
Eustress can really help you grow and improve in different areas of your life — including your faith. It pushes you to act with courage, to dare step out of your comfort zone, and to move forward with confidence toward what is good for you.
Distress
Definition
Distress is a negative and overwhelming form of stress. It appears when a person doesn’t feel able to handle a situation. It leads to fear, freezing, exhaustion, or hopelessness.
Distress
Typical Examples
- A teenage girl bullied at school without support: she feels fear, withdraws into herself, and loses confidence.
- Someone carrying an overwhelming mental load alone: you feel overloaded, exhausted, with no space to breathe or ask for help.
- A student who keeps failing despite repeated efforts: she doubts herself, loses hope, and thinks about giving up.
Chronic stress most often turns into long-lasting distress. Their effects are similar, and over time, they get worse.
Distress
Distress affects every part of you, and its effects are negative.
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+ info
+ info
+ info
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Physical Effects
Muscle tension (neck, back, jaw)
Frequent headaches
Palpitations, rapid heartbeat
Chest pain
Digestive issues (nausea, diarrhoea, constipation)
Weakened immunity (infections, frequent colds)
Chronic fatigue, low energy
Sleep problems (insomnia, night awakenings)
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Emotional (psychological/affective) Effects
Feeling overwhelmed or powerless
Anxiety, sadness, depression
Irritability, mood swings
Loneliness, isolation
Loss of self-confidence
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Cognitive (mental) Effects
Rumination, racing thoughts
Pessimistic outlook, loss of hope
Frequent forgetfulness
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Behavioural Effects
Nervous habits (biting nails, pacing)
Changes in eating habits (eating too much or not enough)
Procrastination
Withdrawing from others, avoiding people
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Bad stress (Distress)
Good stress (Eustress)
vs
Blocks or exhausts you, makes you lose inner peace, makes you feel afraid, is long and overwhelming, makes you run away or give up.
Pushes you to act, gives you energy, motivates you, is short and manageable, helps you grow.
Learn to manage stress well so you can feel well
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Continue
Well done!
You've completed this exploration.
Start
⚠️
Warning! Chronic stress can go unnoticed because people “get used” to living with it. But it’s the type that exhausts the body and mind the most. Some people seem to cope for a long time under chronic stress — but this “resistance” often hides deep fatigue.
✔️
Effects Persistent fatigue, sleep problems, illness, anxiety or depression, social withdrawal, loss of motivation, and academic or professional difficulties.
It’s long-lasting and overwhelming
Negative effects If the stress is too intense, it can cause panic, shaking, confusion, or a temporary freeze response.
Motivates you
Pushes you to take action
Makes you feel afraid
It blocks you or wears you out
Helps you grow
Makes you run away or give up
Gives you energy
✔️
Positive effects Heightened alertness, increased energy, quick reactions, and a better ability to focus on what matters.
It’s short and manageable
Makes you lose your inner peace
The different types of stress
Muriel Akahi
Created on December 8, 2025
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Transcript
Use the arrows to navigate
The different types of
stress
Understand how stress affects your body and mind, depending on its form.
STRESS CATEGORIES
There are two main ways to categorise stress. Click on the interactive buttons below.
By duration or frequency: acute stress and chronic stress.
By emotional valence: eustress and distress.
STRESS CATEGORIES
duration or frequency TYPE
Acute stress and chronic stress
Acute Stress
Acute stress is an immediate, intense, and short-term form of stress. It appears when your body sees a situation as urgent or threatening (e.g., danger, a challenge, a surprise, an emergency). It’s a natural, protective reaction that is often helpful — but sometimes unsettling.
acute Stress
Typical Examples
Click on the arrow on each card to flip it.
A mother who reacts instinctively to protect her child from danger.
A teenage girl who hears a worrying noise when she gets home.
A student who is suddenly called to answer in front of the whole class.
Example 3
Example 2
Example 1
Acute Stress
Possible effects of acute stress
✔️
+ click here
+ click here
chronic stress
Chronic stress happens when a stressor lasts for a long time — weeks, months, or even years — and your body stays in a prolonged state of alert. Over time, it slowly wears you down.
chronic stress
Typical Examples
Click on the arrow on each card to flip it.
Une mère qui réagit instinctivement pour protéger son enfant d’un danger.
A student who is under constant pressure to succeed, without receiving emotional support.
A young person who is repeatedly bullied at school by other students.
A teenage girl living in a family environment marked by conflict.
Un élève qu’on appelle à répondre à l’improviste devant toute la classe.
Example 3
Exemple 3
Example 2
Exemple 2
Example 1
chronic stress
Possible effects of chronic stress
⚠️
+ click here
+ click here
STRESS CATEGORIES
emotional valence Type
Eustress et Distress
Eustress
Definition
Eustress (from the Greek eu = good) refers to positive stress — the “good stress.” It appears when you face a challenge that you believe you can handle. It pushes you forward in a helpful, motivating way.
Eustress
What eustress produces in you:
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
Typical Eustress Examples
Click on the interactive buttons below.
Preparing a presentation or starting a project you’re excited about: you feel a bit of tension, but mostly excitement.
Taking part in a competition or contest you chose: you’re nervous, but motivated.
How good stress helps you grow
Eustress can really help you grow and improve in different areas of your life — including your faith. It pushes you to act with courage, to dare step out of your comfort zone, and to move forward with confidence toward what is good for you.
Distress
Definition
Distress is a negative and overwhelming form of stress. It appears when a person doesn’t feel able to handle a situation. It leads to fear, freezing, exhaustion, or hopelessness.
Distress
Typical Examples
Chronic stress most often turns into long-lasting distress. Their effects are similar, and over time, they get worse.
Distress
Distress affects every part of you, and its effects are negative.
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Physical Effects
Muscle tension (neck, back, jaw)
Frequent headaches
Palpitations, rapid heartbeat
Chest pain
Digestive issues (nausea, diarrhoea, constipation)
Weakened immunity (infections, frequent colds)
Chronic fatigue, low energy
Sleep problems (insomnia, night awakenings)
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Emotional (psychological/affective) Effects
Feeling overwhelmed or powerless
Anxiety, sadness, depression
Irritability, mood swings
Loneliness, isolation
Loss of self-confidence
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Cognitive (mental) Effects
Rumination, racing thoughts
Pessimistic outlook, loss of hope
Frequent forgetfulness
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
OTHER POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DISTRESS
Behavioural Effects
Nervous habits (biting nails, pacing)
Changes in eating habits (eating too much or not enough)
Procrastination
Withdrawing from others, avoiding people
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Bad stress (Distress)
Good stress (Eustress)
vs
Blocks or exhausts you, makes you lose inner peace, makes you feel afraid, is long and overwhelming, makes you run away or give up.
Pushes you to act, gives you energy, motivates you, is short and manageable, helps you grow.
Learn to manage stress well so you can feel well
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Activities to check understanding
Continue
Well done!
You've completed this exploration.
Start
⚠️
Warning! Chronic stress can go unnoticed because people “get used” to living with it. But it’s the type that exhausts the body and mind the most. Some people seem to cope for a long time under chronic stress — but this “resistance” often hides deep fatigue.
✔️
Effects Persistent fatigue, sleep problems, illness, anxiety or depression, social withdrawal, loss of motivation, and academic or professional difficulties.
It’s long-lasting and overwhelming
Negative effects If the stress is too intense, it can cause panic, shaking, confusion, or a temporary freeze response.
Motivates you
Pushes you to take action
Makes you feel afraid
It blocks you or wears you out
Helps you grow
Makes you run away or give up
Gives you energy
✔️
Positive effects Heightened alertness, increased energy, quick reactions, and a better ability to focus on what matters.
It’s short and manageable
Makes you lose your inner peace