It is any event or circumstance that challenges or exceeds a person s ability to cope. There are both psychological and physiological stresses. Psychological stress is emotional and physiological is the result of biochemical changes of stress in our bodies.
Stress is the physical and emotional response to both internally and externally generated stressors.
The autonomic nervous system responds biochemically by releasing the stress hormone, cortisol, and epinephrine in the brain. When we respond to stressors, there is a decrease in oxygen flow due to the quickness and shallowness of our breathing. The heart rate increases, blood pressure increases, the muscles tense, senses sharpen, and our metabolism changes. This has a positive effect when a project has a deadline or we are giving a speech. This helps us to be more alert and work more effectively.