Beyond Burnout: Stress Management for Good Stress, Bad Stress, and Your Body’s Tipping Point

A person dealing with stress management, preventing burnout.

By Adam Carrozza January 19, 2026

Stress Management: Harnessing Eustress, Reducing Distress, and Preventing Burnout

Stress is a universal human experience. The word itself often brings to mind feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted. However, not all stress is bad. The key to a healthier, more resilient life is not eliminating stress but understanding its different forms, eustress and distress, and practising effective stress management to prevent the dangerous build-up known as allostatic load.

The Two Faces of Stress: Eustress vs Distress

Think of stress on a spectrum. On one end, there is eustress, and on the other, distress.

Eustress is the positive, motivating type of stress. It sharpens focus, boosts performance, and encourages personal growth. It is the thrill before a first date, the rush of meeting a tight deadline, or the excitement of starting a new project. Eustress feels challenging but manageable, and learning to harness it is a key aspect of stress management.

Distress is the negative type of stress. It is the anxiety caused by financial worries, ongoing conflict, or an overwhelming workload. Distress is depleting and feels uncontrollable. When it becomes chronic, it moves beyond temporary discomfort and begins to harm both physical and mental health. Recognising and managing distress is essential for long-term wellbeing.

The Tipping Point: Allostatic Load and Stress Management

Imagine your body’s stress response system as a car engine. Short bursts of acceleration, like eustress, are fine, but constantly pushing the engine to its limits causes wear and tear. This cumulative physical and mental strain from chronic distress is called allostatic load.

Constant exposure to stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline prevents the body from returning to a state of rest and recovery. Over time, a high allostatic load can lead to serious health issues, including:

  • Weakened immune function
  • High blood pressure
  • Burnout and fatigue
  • Anxiety and depression

Excessive stress reduces the body’s tolerance for even minor stressors, a state known as distress intolerance. Small challenges that were once manageable can suddenly feel overwhelming. Effective stress management focuses on recognising this tipping point and actively reducing allostatic load.

Your Toolkit for Stress Management

Managing stress is about balance, harnessing eustress, mitigating distress, and giving your body time to recover.

Embrace Eustress
 Recognise positive stress and reframe it as a challenge rather than a threat. Use this energy to focus and perform at your best.

Tackle Distress
 Identify the main sources of negative stress in your life. For controllable factors, create a plan to address them. For things beyond your control, focus on resilience-building techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and regular physical activity.

Lower Your Allostatic Load
 Prioritise recovery by ensuring 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Strengthen social connections, as strong relationships act as a buffer against stress. Regular exercise is essential for regulating stress hormones and improving mood.

Ultimately, stress itself is not the enemy, imbalance is. By distinguishing between eustress and distress and practising consistent stress management, you can build a resilient mind and body capable of facing challenges without burning out.

Allos Australia is a leading provider of proactive Employee Assistance Programs for workplaces, helping teams implement effective stress management strategies.