Which of the following examples best illustrates how stress can have a positive impact on your mental health?

• A. Feeling motivated to study harder for an important exam after experiencing anxiety about your grades
• B. Withdrawing from friends and family when faced with stressful events
• C. Avoiding social situations because you feel overwhelmed by stress
• D. Experiencing difficulty sleeping and constant worry due to work deadlines

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of stress in psychology, which can be both positive (eustress) and negative (distress). Positive stress motivates and enhances performance, while negative stress impairs functioning.
2. Step 2: Identify examples that show positive stress by looking for situations where stress leads to improved motivation, focus, or performance rather than withdrawal or impairment.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option to see if the stress response leads to a constructive outcome. For example, feeling motivated to study harder after anxiety is a sign of positive stress.
4. Step 4: Recognize that withdrawing from friends, avoiding social situations, or experiencing difficulty sleeping are signs of negative stress, as they indicate impaired mental health.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the example illustrating positive impact of stress on mental health is the one where stress motivates productive behavior, such as studying harder for an exam.