Dr. Hans Selye Hans Selye was considered by many to be one of the great pioneers of modern medicine. This common denominator is also known as stress. The stress concept was first formulated by Dr. Hans Selye about forty years ago. It was then that he and his team demonstrated a causal relationship between stress and several bodily disorders which can be objectively measured in quantitative terms. Stress-induced diseases are on the increase in our society because the changing environment creates great demands on the human body and mind.
Stress can and does affect every aspect of life.
Though it is necessary and unavoidable, too much of it produces staggering changes in intellectual and emotional attitudes as well as in health. Some of us are better able to cope with stress than others. Because a healthy genetic or hereditary make-up, good food, clean air, sound work ethics, a happy family environment, active relaxation and other factors protect against it. The pathways and mechanisms of stress are now being dissected and studied at the IIS and throughout the world. After all, the challenge of coping with demands, if properly directed, can be used as a positive force which gives meaning to our lives.