Stress – this word bounces off the walls of deadlines, obligations, and unfinished to-do lists like a rubber ball. Everyone knows it, everyone has it, no one loves it, and yet it seems to be a loyal companion of our modern existence. So, the question arises: Has stress always existed? Or is it a modern invention, introduced alongside eight-lane highways and 24/7 connectivity?

Where Does the Term "Stress" Come From?

The word "stress" originally comes from physics – yes, the realm of Newton, levers, and things that fall when you let go. There, it describes the tension or pressure exerted on a material. Fitting, isn’t it? It wasn’t until the 1930s that medical researcher Hans Selye adopted the term for psychology, using it to describe the pressures that throw people off balance, both physically and emotionally.

Have Humans Always Experienced Stress?

Well, our ancestors certainly didn’t have it easy with hungry saber-toothed tigers and freezing winters. And they didn’t exactly cruise through the Stone Age, the Roman Empire, or pyramid construction in a relaxed manner either. But their stress was different – short-lived, intense, and above all: purposeful and smart. Whenever danger loomed, their bodies went into high alert, adrenaline rushed through their veins, muscles tensed – either to fight or flee. Problem solved, survival chances increased.

Today, however, we sit in offices, over-caffeinated, facing fifty unread emails, and drowning in emotionally triggering information on our timelines while our brains trick us into the same fight-or-flight response. Unfortunately, our bosses wouldn’t appreciate it much if we simply ran away screaming before the next deadline.

Is Stress Good or Bad?

Stress is not inherently evil. There is good stress – the kind that drives us, challenges us, and pushes our brains into high gear. Keyword: Eustress. That adrenaline rush you feel before an exciting presentation, during a sports competition, or when diving headfirst into a cool, thrilling adventure.

And then there’s the other kind of stress. The nasty one. The one that keeps us up at night, knots our stomachs, and sends our hearts racing in unhealthy rhythms. Distress – that sneaky little monster that slowly creeps into our system, causing silent but steady chaos, draining our energy, and leading straight to burnout.

What Does Good Stress Look Like?

Good stress is like a motivating coach pushing us to give our best. Examples?

Anticipation: That tingling excitement before a big performance when stage fright morphs into pure exhilaration.
Flow state: The feeling of being completely immersed in a task because it’s challenging, engaging, yet manageable. Blissfully losing yourself in the moment.
Challenges: A new job, a creative project, a fitness goal – if perceived as a manageable challenge rather than a threat.

And What Does Bad Stress Do to Us?

Bad stress feels like a shoe that’s too tight but impossible to take off. It paralyzes, exhausts, irritates, and drains us instead of lifting us up.

Examples of toxic stress?

Constant pressure: Never-ending deadlines, multitasking, overwhelming expectations.
Sensory overload: Too much of everything. Too loud. Too much media. Too much social media. Too much (often irrelevant) information that our brains can’t properly process, categorize, or store.
Loss of control: The feeling of having no power over one’s own situation – whether at work or in personal life.
Social stress: Conflicts, bullying, unresolved relationship issues.

Stress is Like a Hydra

The more we try to manage it – with even more to-do lists, better time management, or relentless self-optimization – the more new sources of stress emerge. Cutting off one of the Hydra’s heads only makes two new ones grow in its place. It’s unbeatable.

Maybe the solution isn’t fighting stress but redirecting its energy. Stress doesn’t diminish by adding stress management to an already overloaded to-do list. Instead, it should be seen as a signal: Where’s the fire? What’s too much? And most importantly: Do I really need to do all of this?

Do Animals Experience Stress Too?

Absolutely. Anyone who has ever seen a cat or dog at the vet knows that stress exists on four legs as well. Animals experience stress when sensing danger or feeling threatened. The difference? They shake it off. Literally. Many animals shiver or run after a threat to discharge the adrenaline. Humans, on the other hand? We just sit there, staring blankly at screens. No wonder stress keeps piling up until the floodgates burst – and we collapse. And by then, it’s too late.

What Does Stress Do to Our Society and Workplaces?

Stress is a societal issue. Companies that demand constant availability, glorify perfectionism, and fuel competition produce stressed-out, burned-out employees. The result? Rising sick leave, declining creativity, and dwindling innovation. A society that celebrates stress as a status symbol (“OMG, I have SO much to do!”) forgets how to simply exist.

How Can We Reduce Stress?

Countermeasures? Plenty. But here are the best ones:

Prioritize over perfecting: Not everything is equally important. Trying to do everything means doing nothing well.
Allow for deceleration: Idleness is not a vice; it’s a necessity.
Movement & nature: Take walks, immerse yourself in nature, breathe.
Laughter and play: Stress cannot survive where there is genuine joy.
Set boundaries: Not everything needs an immediate response. Not every task needs to be accepted.

More Ideas & Further Reading:

Stress is Here. But How We Use It is Our Choice.

Stress is neither good nor bad. It’s energy. And energy can be channeled. So, maybe don’t fight the Hydra – let it dance. And maybe, at some point, it’ll simply tilt its head and start purring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Henriette Frädrich is a keynote speaker, moderator, and storytelling expert. With energy, humor, and depth, she takes her audience on a journey through impactful topics: from change and resilience to motivation, innovation, artificial intelligence, communication, and leadership.

Her mission? To simplify complexity, open minds, and touch hearts. Whether on big stages or in interactive workshops, she combines profound knowledge with emotional storytelling, creating lasting “aha” moments. Her talks are captivating experiences that inspire and empower people to take their next step with confidence.