Difference between stressors and stress?

The distinction between stressors and stress is crucial to understand how we respond to various demands in life. Stressors are external or internal events and situations that demand your attention and action, like a hard conversation, a deadline, or physical exertion. They are not inherently good or bad but depend on our interpretation and response.

Stress, on the other hand, refers to your mental and physiological response to these stressors. This response can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress), depending on how you appraise the stressor — whether you see it as within your ability to manage or beyond it. When perceived as manageable, stress can be motivating and lead to growth. When seen as overwhelming, it can lead to anxiety or other negative outcomes 1 2.

Understanding this difference can help in developing more effective coping mechanisms, often by changing one's perception of stressors and refining responses to them.