For many people stress is a fact of life in the modern world. Deadlines, juggling work and personal commitments, interruptions, rush hour traffic, conflict at home, or even the ringing of a cellular phone, are all familiar sources of stress.

Although it is impossible to eliminate all stress from daily life, it is possible to control the effect that stress has on the body and the mind.

All situations in life that demand adjustment are stressful. Stress challenges the individual�s physical and mental resources and adjustment capabilities, although some forms of tress typically has the potential to do more damage.

The stress response is physical, as well as perceptual or emotional. The body undergoes several powerful internal changes when we are under stress . Under these circumstances adrenaline pours into the blood stream, preparing us to fight off the potential danger of the stressor; and muscles throughout the body tense in anticipation of the challenge. We are usually unaware of this physical process of �gearing up� that accompanies stress.

Severe stress can be damaging to physical and mental heath. It can lead to lowered efficiency, depletion of adaptive resources, wear and tear on the biological system, and, in extreme cases, severe personality and physical deterioration, and even death.

People with increased levels of anxiety and nervous tension often need to develop more effective ways of dealing with day to day stress.