4 W's of Stress

Awareness of the four types of stress is the first step in coping.

There is both good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress). Eustress is stress that positively affects your health. It is the stress that warns you that something is wrong and you should adapt. Distress is stress that negatively affects your health. It is typically stress that we cause ourselves by irrational or maladaptive thinking. Dr. Albrecht identified the four most common types of stress.

Time Stress – When will I find enough time? This is the stress we impose on ourselves from our perception that there is not enough time to get everything done. Whether it is due to being late for an appointment or an overwhelming number of tasks at work, the lack of time can cause a great deal of stress and if not managed properly through good time management skills and saying no, time stress can quickly develop into chronic stress.

Anticipatory stress – How can I deal with this? This is the stress that we impose on ourselves with regards to upcoming events. This form of stress is rooted in the fear of the unknown. From social functions to changes in jobs or living arrangements, anticipatory stress can be a great cause of acute stress.

Situational Stress – Why do things like this happen to me? This stress is caused by unexpected or dangerous situations. This is when the “fight or flight” system kicks in and prepares the body to react and protect itself. This type of stress is often the most extreme of the acute stressors that we face. From a car accident to getting evicted, situation stress can cause a great deal of mental anguish.

Encounter Stress – How can I deal with this person? This is the stress that we manifest from our interactions with other individuals. Encounter stress is the fear of interaction with a specific person or a group of people. Meeting up with an ex, meeting someone for the first time or having to present to a crowd of people can cause a great deal of stress to some people.