What is stress? This is one of the most commonly asked questions. From my readings i can give an answer. Stress is a reaction feeling to certain events. It's our body's reaction to trying to meet a challenge with focus, strength, stamina and heightened alertness.

Why do people get stressed? People get stressed because the reaction known as stress response. This can cause problems or cause a person to do well under pressure. The stress response occurs because the human body reacts to stressors, or situations. Basically what happens is some glands such as the adrenal and hypothalamus release hormones into the blood stream, which cause the heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure to speed up. Since the body is heating up it releases sweat to cool the body down. "All of these physical changes prepare a person to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment, " which causes stress.

One difference between stress and depression is that stress can be good or bad when reacting critical to a situation like when slamming on the brakes to avoid a crash, but depression is always bad and can sometimes lead to bad situations like death.

References

Stress, Updated and reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: July 2007, 1995-2008 The Nemours Foundation, http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/stress.html