That's the bad news. The good news is that stress isn't altogether bad news. Because, man, it can kill you.
Stress is an adaptive response.
It's the body's reaction to an event that is seen as emotionally disturbing, disquieting, or threatening. This response was probably beneficial to our cavemen ancestors who had to fight off wild animals. Untamed and allowed to run rampant in our lives, it can destroy our health. But today, there are few wild animals to contend with, unless you happen to work in a zoo or live out in the wilds somewhere. Our stress response is more likely triggered by overwhelming responsibilities at home or work, by loneliness, or by the fear of losing our jobs.