The most common definition of stress is that it is what we experience when too much pressure is put on us. We say that we get stressed with our work, with endless bills, or with the person sitting next to us in class. We can also refer to the definitions attributed to certain people. For Hans Selye, it is “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.” The one often attributed to Richard Lazarus on on the other hand, is that it is a condition or feeling experienced when an individual perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources he or she is able to mobilize.

The definitions may vary, but stress is generally perceived as something negative. However, it should be understood that you also tend to get stressed with positive situations like an upcoming wedding, finally going home, and so on. Furthermore, it benefits us in the sense that it is what makes us productive. It is actually needed to make us wake up early in the morning, conscientiously study for an upcoming test, submit our deadlines on time, etc.

Furthermore, what is considered as a stressful situation varies from one person to another. While commuting is particularly stressful for me, you may find it enjoyable as it gives you the chance to meet different kinds of people. This is one reason why stress is variedly defined. But it can indeed be harmful to our overall health especially if we get too much of it, so taking steps to manage it well is emphasized. Its signs include sleep disturbances, back, shoulder or neck pain, migraine headaches, upset stomach, irregular heartbeat, and immune system suppression.

Be careful in the ways you manage stressful situations, though. There are these what we call counterproductive activities, examples of which include smoking, excessive drinking, overeating or undereating, and oversleeping.

On the other hand, the healthy ways of coping with stressful situations include:

- thinking positively;

- expressing your feelings;

- exercising;

- getting enough sleep;

- engaging in health relaxation activities;

- learning to forgive; and

- keeping your sense of humor.

There may be no single, standard definition of stress, but what constantly matters is our attitude toward certain situations. If you have a negative attitude, then you are likely to get more stressed, and you would not want that to happen. Your overall health is at stake, so you would want to maintain a positive attitude instead.