Which form of stress is associated with enhanced performance and arousal?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Stress
• C. Distress
• D. Eustress

Answer: (D)

Positive arousal that boosts performance is being described. When stress is at a helpful level, it increases alertness, energy, and readiness, helping you perform at your best. This beneficial type of stress is called eustress. It sits at the peak of arousal where you feel energized rather than overwhelmed, which is why it’s linked to enhanced performance. You can see it in moments like a runner feeling excited before a race or a musician thriving under stage-ready nerves. By contrast, anxiety and distress describe negative states that can cloud focus and impair performance, and simply labeling something as stress doesn’t specify its positivity or negativity. Eustress specifically explains the improved performance and appropriate arousal.