Stress is the opposite of relaxation. When we are relaxed and calm, our heart rate and breathing slow down, and our brain functions smoothly. When we are stressed our mind and body enter a heightened state of alert to handle the external situation causing the stress.

The external events that cause stress are many and varied. It could be talking in front of a crowd, sitting for an exam, a relationship problem, or a problem at work.

Stress per se is not necessarily a bad thing, since it helps us perform and handle the situation causing the stress. For example, stress caused by an impending exam will keep us motivated, and the stress will go away once the exam is over and we get to see the positive results.

When we are stressed our body reacts by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and other physiological factors to cope with the situation.

The problem with stress is if we do not recognize that we are stressed and what is causing the stress. This leads us to stay stressed for an extended period of time, putting a greater demand on our body.

Uncontrolled stress can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and sleeping disorders. Stress can also cause people to become irritable, aggressive, intolerant, anxious, and easily fall into bad habits such as smoking and alcohol drinking.

If you have some of these symptoms, most probably you are suffering from stress.
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate.
- You start drinking or smoking. If you already drink or smoke, you do so more frequently.
- Feeling irritable and aggressive.
- Feeling confused or depressed.
- Find difficulty sleeping
- Decreased work or study performance.
- Always worrying and feeling anxious.

Although we cannot control all the factors in life that cause stress, we can learn how to recognize, limit, and manage stress. If  you want to learn how to control and eliminate stress from your life, read the following blog post: Get rid of stress once and for all