The best replacement for distress is eustress.

The best alternatives to distress are rated as following:
★★★★★  eustress
★★★★  stress
★★  duress
★★  impairment
★★  execution
★  respiratory failure
★  destress
★  suffering
★  thoughtseize
★  misery
  respiratory distress syndrome
  dilemma
  ethical dilemma
  de-stress
  respiratory depression
  harassment
  acute respiratory failure

Your alternative for distress is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about distress, one probably shouldn't forget about gesso.

Other search terms related to distress and their ratings are:
★★★★★ gesso
You have in mind a companion for distress and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of distress in all years. Click on graph for more.
distress
eustress
stress