Stress

Good Stress versus Bad Stress

Stress is generally considered a negative thing (feeling/response), usually in medical contexts. There is a good side to it (eustress) which generally translates as beneficial stress.

I’m a simple guy, so I prefer to just think of either good stress or bad stress.

Good stress is things like lifting weights, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, learning hard skills, accepting new experiences, eating healthy (but boring) food, etc.

Bad stress is the negative stuff - financial stress, lack of sleep, anxiety, sugar highs (and crashes), toxic work environment, long peak hour commutes, noisy neighbours, lack of purpose, doom scrolling, etc.

At XEN, we chat about this approach in terms of not only our personal activities, but also the work we do, the clients we work with, and the business we build.

The following table is an overview:

(Source: XEN Onboarding Notion page)

As I get older, I’ve started to focus more on stress. Being intentional. Using my time (and money) to minimise bad stress, and increase good stress.

Money, in many ways, is perhaps best employed as a tool to minimise bad stress, and increase good stress.

At the start of your career, when money is limited, you often have to ‘suffer’ bad stress (the work you do, the people you work with), but as your earning increases you can afford to focus on good stress (hiring a personal trainer, buying good food, living in better housing).

Most of the social posts I see that are of the ‘aspirational’ kind highlight material toys (cars, watches, clothes). Few seem to highlight quality food, comfortable mattresses, and positive work environments.