First described by Hans Selye is 1936, stress is the body s reaction to a wide range of strong external stimuli, either physiological or psychological. The effects of stimuli may vary from person to person in as much that a person may find a particular event quite stressful while another may not even be affected by the same event at all. Further, Selye described the general adaptation syndrome brought about by stress as to having three stages: alarm reaction in which the body perceives and identifies external stimuli; this is followed by the adaptation itself, in which the body applies the supposed measures to counteract the stressor; when the body begins to run out of defenses, then the body engages in exhaustion.

Stress is actually misconstrued to be bad for the body; what a lot of people fail to realize is that there are actually two types of stress, positive stress or eustress and its negative counterpart or distress. Although when the word stress is used, it commonly refers to distress. If not handled well, distress can actually greatly affect the body s functions since it raises adrenaline and corticosterone levels in the body which in turn increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration that stresses the body organs and in the long run may be a factor that contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and other illnesses.

Stress is actually what the body experiences as a result to constantly adjusting to the changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects which may create positive or negative feelings. Good stress helps the body be alert and helps motivate the body to face challenges and solve problems. Eustress is deemed necessary in providing the push which drives the body. On the other hand, distress causes the body to create feelings of rejection, distrust, anger and even depression.

Perceiving the manageability of external stimuli is manifested by our bodily functions and its reaction to it. Handling the changes that occur in our daily lives must then be done optimally to alleviate the effect of distress.

Stress provides detailed information on Stress, Stress Management, Stress Reduction, Stress Tests and more. Stress is affiliated with Hypertension Symptoms.

Tags: Stress Reduction