JOURNAL ARTICLE

The sweet spot of stress.

  • Published In: New Scientist, 2026, v. 270, n. 3592. P. 28 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Thomson, Helen 3 of 3

Abstract

The article explores the complex nature of stress, emphasizing that while chronic stress is linked to serious health issues, certain types and doses of stress—referred to as "eustress" or good stress—can enhance mental and physical well-being. It explains the biological stress response and highlights that factors such as the type of stressor, its intensity, duration, and an individual's sense of control influence whether stress is beneficial or harmful. The concept of a "stress sweet spot" is introduced, where moderate, manageable stress improves performance and resilience, supported by strategies like mindset reframing and gradual exposure to mild stressors. Emerging research also suggests that building resilience through controlled stress exposure can remodel brain networks to better handle future challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:New Scientist. 2026/04, Vol. 270, Issue 3592, p28
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0262-4079
  • Accession Number:193156427
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of New Scientist is the property of New Scientist Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.