Our life, age, physical constitution, temperament, personality, self-esteem, learning histories, and belief and expectation systems all contribute to our stress reactivity. Stress can be related to daily life, particular circumstances, a new situation, the process of communication, or relationships. Some people find their jobs, or their roles as students or leaders stressful, while others find their home life stressful. Some people blame their stress on themselves, and the way they look, think, or behave. Others blame their stress on outside pressures, such as family, society, or religion.
People respond to stress in highly individualized ways.
These responses can be physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. The Stage of Exhaustion. In this initial stage the body mobilizes its defenses, the sympathetic nervous system is aroused, and adrenaline is released. In the Resistance Stage the body tries to cope or adapt to the stressor. Cortisone is released, muscles are strengthened, and metabolism speeds up.