Stress is caused by our bodies reacting to situations which are perceived as threatening or out of our control. Stress, in moderation, is a perfectly normal and healthy part of life. Everybody goes through it at one time or another. But, if the stress is particularly traumatic, or if it persists for an abnormally long time, it can be highly detrimental to mental, emotional, and even physical health.

During a stressful situation, our nervous system initiates what is known as a “fight or flight” response. This is named for the idea that, in mankind’s early days, stressful situations often involved physical altercations with another person, or a dangerous animal in the wilderness. Several temporary changes (such as increased adrenaline, and the redirection of blood to the arms and legs) are made to the body during a “fight or flight” response, to allow for one to either”fight” the threat, or take “flight” away from it.

In modern times, we have a completely new set of potential stressors. The source of the stress could be the boss at work, the coworkers, the family, or any other problem one might encounter throughout the day. The “fight or flight” response often does not prepare us to deal with these stressors. Due to this, stress is often long-lasting. When the changes made to the body, meant to be temporary, are endured for a long amount of time, they start to become harmful. Chronic stress is a cause of many serious problems, from high blood pressure and digestive problems, to depression, headaches, fatigue, and a damaged immune system, which by itself can cause many problems.