15 tips to relieve stress Seeking professional help Stress isn't in your mind. It is a physical response to an undesirable situation and it has potential to control your life. Stress has many sources. Mild stress can result from missing the bus, standing in a long line at the store or getting a parking ticket.
Stress also can be severe.
Things like divorce or family problems, an attack by a thief, or the death of a loved one can be devastating. One of the most common sources of stress, both mild and severe, is work. Acute stress is a reaction to an immediate threat or situation perceived as such. However, everyday life poses ongoing situations that aren't short-lived, such as relationship problems, loneliness and financial or health worries. The pressures may seem unrelenting and they can cause chronic stress.