Does this essay make sense and follow MLA format? Sydney [Last name]
[Teacher]
American Literature
07 January 2021
The Positive Effects on Stress in High Schoolers
Although everyone knows the popular saying, “stress kills,” it may not be as true as we think. Stress can be a beneficial aspect to our lives, because it can improve cognitive function, provide motivation, and help develop resilience.

EUSTRESS VS. DISTRESS
When you hear the word stress, what comes to mind? Most people would say that stress is a negative factor in their life, contributing to social withdrawal, drug or alcohol use, and sleep issues (Mayo Clinic Staff). However, there is another kind of stress: The kind you feel when something positive happens. This kind of stress is beneficial to your mental health (Lindberg). The kind of stress most people think of is called distress, and the positive stress is called eustress. The word distress comes from the Old French word destresce, meaning “state of pain or fear.” (“detresse”) The word eustress comes from the Greek prefix for good, and the word stress. (“A Word A Day”)
Eustress can occur when you start something new. For example, when you get a new job, and start to feel nervous, that’s eustress. While distress leads to negative reactions, eustress leads to more positive emotions, such as striving to reach a goal, striving to overcome obstacles, and even giving you a reason to wake up in the morning. (Scott)
Turning distress into eustress. There, fortunately, are ways to turn distress into eustress. Some of these ways include: looking at the bright side of a situation, reminding yourself of the strengths you have to get you through the stressful time, and focusing on what you have to improve the situation- not what you don’t. (Scott)
CONCLUSION
While stress is never fun, there are health benefits to certain types of stress, called eustress. It is actually possible to turn negative stress into positive stress. Positive stress keeps life interesting, and giving you goals to strive towards, and a reason to wake up in the morning