Let’s face it: stress happens. We can’t avoid it. But what if I told you there’s a way to let stress work for you instead of against you? The truth is, the difference between stress that drains you and stress that fuels you is often your perspective.

That’s where eustress comes in. Eustress is the kind of stress that doesn’t crush you—it strengthens you. It’s what happens when you face a challenge and decide, this is an opportunity for growth. The problem is, most of us don’t pause long enough to reframe the situation. We let the weight of the stress overwhelm us, when all we really need is a perspective shift.

The Power of Perspective: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Stress

Stress itself isn’t the bad guy—it’s how we interpret it. When we view a situation as a threat, stress becomes distress—overwhelming and paralyzing. But when we see it as a challenge, stress becomes eustress—motivating and energizing.

That split second when you decide how to interpret stress makes all the difference. It’s the difference between crumbling under pressure and rising to the occasion.

Edison’s Factory Fire

In December 1914, Thomas Edison’s laboratory burned to the ground. Years of research and millions of dollars in equipment were gone in an instant. You’d think Edison would have been devastated, but instead, he turned to his son and said, “Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.”

The next day, Edison said, “I am 67, but I’m not too old to make a fresh start.” And that’s exactly what he did. Within weeks, he began rebuilding, and within months, he had developed new inventions that revived his business.

Edison didn’t just react to the fire; he reframed it. He saw an opportunity where others would have seen a disaster. That’s eustress in action—a challenge that fuels innovation and resilience.

The Science of Reframing Stress

Reframing isn’t just a mindset shift—it’s backed by science.

Stress Mindset Theory:

Here’s a concise summary referencing the study and its key findings:

Stress Mindset Theory and Its Impact

In 2013, Dr. Alia J. Crum and colleagues published a groundbreaking study titled “Rethinking Stress: The Role of Mindsets in Determining the Stress Response” in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research demonstrated that how we think about stress—whether we see it as harmful or beneficial—significantly impacts how we experience and respond to it, both physically and behaviorally.

Key Findings

The study involved three parts:

1. Assessing Stress Mindsets: Using the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM), the researchers found that individuals generally fell into two categories: those who believed stress was debilitating and those who believed stress could enhance their performance.

2. Changing Stress Mindsets: Participants were shown multimedia videos framing stress as either enhancing or harmful. These videos successfully shifted participants’ stress mindsets, proving that our beliefs about stress are flexible and can be intentionally changed.

3. Impact on Physiology and Behavior: Participants who adopted a “stress-is-enhancing” mindset:

• Exhibited more moderate cortisol levels (associated with healthier physiological stress responses).

• Were more likely to seek feedback during stressful situations, indicating proactive and adaptive behavior.

• In contrast, those with a “stress-is-debilitating” mindset either overreacted or underreacted physiologically and avoided feedback, which led to maladaptive coping strategies.

This study highlights the transformative power of perception. By viewing stress as a tool for growth rather than a threat, we can change our physiological and behavioral responses for the better. Stress is inevitable—but how we think about it can make all the difference.

Your Brain on Reframing:

When you reframe a challenge, your prefrontal cortex—the logical part of your brain—takes control. This keeps your amygdala, the part of your brain responsible for fear and panic, in check. Translation: reframing stress calms your mind and helps you focus.

The Yerkes-Dodson Curve:

This principle shows that a moderate level of stress enhances performance. Too little stress, and you’re unmotivated. Too much, and you’re overwhelmed. Eustress is the sweet spot—it’s where you perform at your best.

How to Reframe Stress

So, how do you actually reframe stress into eustress? Here are some practical steps:

1. Ask Different Questions:

Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?” or “How can this make me better?”

2. Focus on the Opportunity:

Every challenge has a hidden opportunity. Look for the lesson, the growth, or the skills you’ll gain by facing it head-on.

3. Take a Step Back:

Ask yourself, “Will this matter a year from now?” Chances are, it won’t. That perspective can help you see the bigger picture.

4. Be Grateful:

Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance. When you focus on what you have, rather than what you lack, challenges feel more manageable.

5. Visualize Success:

Picture yourself on the other side of the challenge. What does success look like? How will you feel when you’ve overcome it? Visualization primes your brain for action.

Biblical Truths About Stress

God’s Word has a lot to say about facing challenges. In fact, Scripture is full of wisdom about reframing stressful situations:

• James 1:2-4 (KJV): “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

• Stress doesn’t just happen to you—it happens for you. It’s part of God’s process to grow you into who He’s called you to be.

• Romans 8:28 (KJV): “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

• Even when it doesn’t make sense, God is working behind the scenes. He uses all things—yes, even stress—for your good.

• Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV): “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

• Stress is your cue to turn to God. When you give Him your worries, He gives you His peace—a peace that doesn’t even make sense in the middle of chaos.

Stress Is Going to Happen—Make It Count

Here’s the truth: stress is a part of life. You can’t avoid it. But you can choose how you respond to it.

You can let stress control you, or you can let it challenge you. You can see it as a burden, or you can see it as an opportunity. The difference is in how you frame it.

So, the next time stress shows up, don’t let it steal your joy. Take a step back. Shift your perspective. Remind yourself: stress is going to happen—so you might as well make it count.