Why do we feel stressed???

What is stress?

Stress is a physical response to situations that would make you feel threatened or upset your balance. When you sense danger, be it real or imagined, a process known as stress response kicks in.

The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When it works properly, it can help you stay focused, energetic and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life by giving you extra strength to defend yourself or gives you the impulse to slam on the brakes of your car to avoid an accident.

The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your feet during a presentation at work or keeps you going when you are studying for an exam and you feel like watching television.

Despite of the benefits of stress, beyond a certain point, it stops being helpful and starts causing great damage to your health, mood, productivity, relationships and quality of life.

The Body’s Stress Response

When you sense a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones 'wake' the body for emergency action.
Your heart will pound faster, your muscles will tighten, your blood pressure will rise, your breath will quicken and your senses will become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus.


Source: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm