eustress
noun
eu·stress
ˈyü-ˌstres 
: a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being
… during positive stress ("eustress"), such as a promotion or vacation, feel-good chemicals called endorphins are released.—
Tracy Boyd
Tracy BoydExamples of eustress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even taking on a new responsibility at work — like leading a team or managing a major project — can bring eustress.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Unlike chronic distress, eustress enhances performance and resilience.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Positive stress, or eustress, can be exciting and motivating.
—Cheri Rainey, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
For the first step of the October theory, use the last few days of this month to acknowledge your eustress and harness it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
There is a Goldilocks rule of stress (called eustress) in which just enough can be best.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Nervously excited is eustress.
—The Enquirer, 29 Dec. 2022
As a leader, convert negative stress to eustress by acknowledging and exploring your team’s issues.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022
Focusing on eustress doesn’t mean ignoring the fact that distress exists.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Unlike chronic distress, eustress enhances performance and resilience.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Positive stress, or eustress, can be exciting and motivating.
—Cheri Rainey, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
For the first step of the October theory, use the last few days of this month to acknowledge your eustress and harness it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
There is a Goldilocks rule of stress (called eustress) in which just enough can be best.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Nervously excited is eustress.
—The Enquirer, 29 Dec. 2022
As a leader, convert negative stress to eustress by acknowledging and exploring your team’s issues.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022
Focusing on eustress doesn’t mean ignoring the fact that distress exists.
—Andrew Deutscher, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Eustress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eustress. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
eustress
noun
eu·stress
ˈyü-ˌstres
: a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share