If we step on an uneven surface unexpectedly, we may trip, fall and sprain an ankle. If we begin to look at the true source of the injury, it was not the uneven road surface that caused the injury. If that were the case, everyone who crossed that street would fall and hurt himself. The ankle sprain was caused by the body's inability to adapt to that uneven road surface. When our adapt-ability is lowered, we predispose ourselves to illness and injury.
Stress lowers our body's ability to adapt to changes in our environment.
Therefore, when analyzing your own predisposition to illness or injury, it makes sense to take yourself through a short stress evaluation, making a list of your stressors from each category mentioned below. Consider how many pillows you use when you sleep as well as your sleeping position and the amount of sleep you get. These are but a few of the common mechanical stress stimuli in our lives. You may have others to add to your own list. It is chemical stress , a broad category.