Are you stressed? If you are like most individuals, the answer is probably “yes.” You would not be alone. More than half of working adults say they are concerned with the amount of stress in their lives (American Psychological Association [APA], 2018a). Stress is a global epidemic. From events such as tsunamis, to devastating hurricanes, the events of September 11th, the economic crisis, job losses, credit card debt, and health concerns, the world is an increasingly anxious and fearful place. Global problems intensify personal stressors and it doesn’t matter if you are a high school student or a corporate CEO, “stress is an equal opportunity destroyer!” (Seaward, 2011, p. 4).
For many of us, the words stress and change are interchangeable. Change has always been part of the human experience. However, the rate of change in today’s world is so fast and furious that, “without an adequate reference point to anchor oneself …stress holds the potential to create a perpetual sense of uneasiness in the hearts and minds of nearly everyone” (Seaward, 2011, p. 4).
Events, people, circumstances, concerns, and a certain amount of stress are also part of our normal daily lives. Some of us rise to the occasion and thrive in these situations. Others experience a combination of negative physical and psychological effects. Why do we react differently to stressors? Despite much research on the topic, the answer is not clearly understood, but a key element is how we manage the stressors we face.
Stress is a reaction to any stimulus or challenge that upsets our normal function and disturbs our mental or physical health. Stress is brought on by internal circumstances (such as illness, pain, or emotional upset) or by external circumstances (such as death, family or financial problems, or job challenges). Attitudes, beliefs, and emotional states ranging from love to anger can trigger chain reactions that affect blood chemistry, heart rate, and the activity of every cell and organ in the body (Seaward, 2011; Seaward, 2017).