---
title: Good stress vs. bad stress for kids
description: Good stress builds confidence in kids. Bad stress tears down self-esteem and can lead to anxiety. Learn how to help kids with ADHD and learning disabilities experience good stress.
slug: good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids
author: Jerome Schultz, PhD
published: '2019-08-05T15:51:27.532Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/yHKMbxie68vM6th9l1cOz/82e261db6a18971f159a7986ed4b445b/G650173157.jpg
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids
lang: en
---

# Good stress vs. bad stress for kids

When people say they’re stressed, it’s usually not a good thing. But stress** **isn’t always bad. There’s good stress, too — and it can help kids rise to challenges, solve problems, and build confidence.

Nature gave us the ability to spot danger and respond to it. When faced with dangerous situations, our bodies and brains kick into fight-or-flight mode. But we don’t like to stay in that state for long. We like to deal with danger quickly so we can feel safe again.

Our body’s ability to deal with stress helps us do just that. Our stress response system gets our brain and body ready to solve problems and tackle challenges. And when we overcome the problem, our brain “feels good” and remembers our successes.

Kids can experience *both* good and bad stress when faced with challenges. When kids are supported or have had success in the past, they are more likely to feel good. On the other hand, kids who have experienced a lot of failure often feel bad stress. 

When we provide kids with support, we can help them feel good stress and build their resilience and confidence.

---

<!-- structured-data -->
```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids","description":"Good stress builds confidence in kids. Bad stress tears down self-esteem and can lead to anxiety. Learn how to help kids with ADHD and learning disabilities experience good stress."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids","name":"Good stress vs. bad stress for kids"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:51:27.532Z","description":"Good stress builds confidence in kids. Bad stress tears down self-esteem and can lead to anxiety. Learn how to help kids with ADHD and learning disabilities experience good stress.","headline":"Good stress vs. bad stress for kids","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}]
```