What kinds of things can cause too much stress in our lives? We often think of major crises such as natural disasters, war, and death as main sources of stress. These are, of course, stressful events. 【B1】However, according to psychologist Wayne Weiten, on a day-to day basis, it is the small things that cause stress: waiting in line, having car trouble, getting stuck in a traffic jam, having too many things to do in a limited time.

Interestingly, stress is unique and personal to each of us. 【B2】 So personal, in fact, that what may be relaxing to one person may be stressful to another. For example, if you’re an executive who likes to keep busy all the time, “taking it easy” at the beach on a beautiful day may feel extremely frustrating, non-productive, and upsetting. 【B3】 You may be emotionally distressed from “doing nothing”.

Hans Selye, M. D., a recognized expert in the field, has defined stress as a “non-specific response of the body to a demand.” For the busy executive, the demand that causes stress might be to relax. For most of us, it’s a demand to act that causes stress. 【B4】 If we feel overwhelmed by pressure to do too much, we may not be able to function at all. In this case, the stress that can be good for us becomes distress, or bad stress. 【B5】 When stress becomes prolonged or particularly frustrating, it can become harmful causing physical illness.