Types of stress
1-minute read
Stress is a normal part of life and can be positive or negative. Types of stress include:
Good stress
This type of stress is good for you. It comes from facing a positive challenge and can cause us to feel nervous or excited. Good stress can improve motivation and performance.
Short term stress
Short term stress is a brief period of stress related to a specific situation.
Chronic or ongoing stress
Chronic stress can be caused by ongoing pressures or demands that go on for a long period with little hope of improving. Chronic stress can be very damaging to health and relationships.
Not sure what to do next?
If you or someone you know are finding it difficult to manage mental health issues, try healthdirect’s Symptom Checker and get advice on when to seek professional help.
The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: September 2019
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Effects of stress on the body | Stress | ReachOut Australia
Is stress having a negative impact on your health? Find out what stress does to your body online at ReachOut Australia.
Read more on ReachOut.com website

Stress and pregnancy
Stress is a normal response to major life changes but there are things you can do to reduce pregnancy-related stress. Learn more here about how it affects you.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

How to deal with stress | Stress | ReachOut Australia
Knowing how to deal with stress can help you lead a happier and healthier life. Ask yourself these questions to help manage your stress.
Read more on ReachOut.com website

How to Deal with Stress | Stress Management | THIS WAY UP
Understanding the relationship between stress and wellbeing. Stress management techniques to help you regain control and clear your mind.
Read more on This Way Up website

Managing stress
Becoming a parent can be stressful. In fact, we know that many parents find having a baby more challenging than they anticipated.
Read more on Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) website

Financial stress
Financial problems can cause stress and can have a significant impact on your mental health. For some people, the financial pressures of life may seem impossible to overcome, but there is help and support available to you.
Read more on Lifeline website

Stress | ReachOut Australia
There's a difference between good stress and bad stress. Stress management is about finding that proper balance.
Read more on ReachOut.com website

Carers NSW - Managing stress
The term 'stress management' means identifying what is causing stress in your life, then considering how stress is affecting you and what you can do about it
Read more on Carers NSW website

Reducing stress - Beyond Blue
Some stress is normal and stress itself is not anxiety or depression. However, severe and ongoing stress may be a risk factor if it persists.
Read more on Beyond Blue website

Cardiac Exercise Stress Test - "Stress Test" - St Vincent's Heart Health
Information about Cardiac Exercise Stress Tests (Cardiac Stress Tests).
Read more on St Vincent's Hospital Heart Health website

Top results
Stress and Urge Urinary Incontinence in Women - Australasian Menopause Society
Normal bladder function is represented by:a frequency 4-6 per day (0-1 at night);1-2 cups of urine (250-500mls) are passed;voiding can be deferred until convenient;urine is passed in a steady continuous stream until bladder is emptyno leakage between visits to the toilet.There are two main types of urinary incontinence: stress and urge incontinence. In some instances both types of incontinence can occur though the cause for each is different.Stress and Urge Urinary Incontinence in Women
Read more on Australasian Menopause Society website

Retraining the Amygdala | Ausmed
In my final unit of Master’s study, I have become increasingly aware of the important role that the amygdala plays in anxiety-reduction. The healthcare environment can be a stressful place and nurses are frequently faced with time constraints, ethical dilemmas, and a need to perform under pressure.
Read more on Ausmed Education website

How Fear of Failure Can Affect Your Health | Ausmed
It is easy to feel inadequate or afraid of failing, particularly in the workplace. However, the constant stress caused by these fears can be physically and psychologically detrimental. Learning to understand anxiety and its physiology is crucial in getting it under control.
Read more on Ausmed Education website

Fact sheets - Orygen, Revolution in Mind
Orygen is the world’s leading research and knowledge translation organisation focusing on mental ill-health in young people.
Read more on Orygen website

Infertility and The Mind-Body Approach
Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (WHO 2017). There are, of course, many physical and emotional factors that can cause infertility.
Read more on Ausmed Education website

Anxiety - Orygen, Revolution in Mind
Orygen is the world’s leading research and knowledge translation organisation focusing on mental ill-health in young people.
Read more on Orygen website

Meditative Walking and the Importance of Self-Care
During my 38-year career in nursing practice I have been privileged to work at the bedside, in the classroom, and as a nurse researcher. I am one of those nurses who believes that nursing is in my genes!
Read more on Ausmed Education website

Health Benefits of Nature | Ausmed
Most of us instinctively know that we feel better when we go to the beach, have a picnic, or take an evening stroll. Researchers are discovering that the sense of well-being we get from being in natural environments is reflected in measurable health benefits. What are the Health Benefits of Nature?
Read more on Ausmed Education website

Trauma-informed information and resources
Diverse resources around trauma Informed Care & Practice, a strengths-based framework for supporting people accessing services (who may have trauma history).
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website

Music to reduce stress and anxiety for people with coronary heart disease | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: This systematic review indicates that listening to music may have a beneficial effect on anxiety in persons with CHD, especially those with a myocardial infarction
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline
24 hour health advice you can count on
Government Accredited with over 140 information partners
We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice