Stress is something that affects many people every day. Life is full of problems, deadlines, frustrations and demands. For some people, stress is so common that it is a way of life. Stress can be very harmful and/or helpful. It might help motivate you to meet a deadline and perform a task under pressure. Stress can also be very harmful, such as memory problems, mood swings, aches and pains, and eating more or less. So, what is stress? Stress is a normal physical response that occurs when you feel threatened or upset. When you feel you are in danger, real or imagined. Your body has a response when stress occurs and it is a way to actually protect yourself. Many times, stress helps people stay more focused and energetic. However, there is a point where stress can be very harmful and cause harm to your health in many ways. How you respond to stress usually depends on the person. Some people get very nervous when they are stressed. This causes the “fight or flight” response to begin. This causes the signal from your brain's sympathetic nerves and adrenal glands to be released, this releases a variety of chemicals that cause it to affect you in many different ways. In some severe cases it can cause damage to memory and learning, as well as an increased risk of depression. Your body may also respond on a cardiovascular level, which can make your heart beat faster and raise your blood pressure. Long-term effects include heat illness, heart attack and stroke. According to Larry Volz of the Richmond Hypnosis Center, 7 people die from stress every 2 seconds. All things included are anxiety, panic attacks, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, fears, smoking, and alcohol. All these things are… half the paper… compare and pass the test? Again, stress is simply a natural occurrence, forces from the internal or external world that influence the individual. We usually think of stress as a negative experience. However, stress is a neutral effect, negative or positive. Stress is often caused by a job, relationships with others, challenges, or something that requires you to meet a deadline. When you are stressed it is important to get plenty of sleep. It is important to rest to refresh your brain and this way you may be less stressed. Other ways to manage stress include setting priorities, discovering new relaxation techniques, exercising, setting realistic goals, and trying to avoid stressful situations. It is important that if you are stressed you follow these things so as not to cause serious damage. Some of the main things that might happen when you are stressed are: