If you find yourself feeling tense or worried sometimes, but you are not experiencing any overall negative impacts from these temporary feelings -- then what you are experiencing is likely considered to be a “normal” or “average” stress level. Normal (as opposed to “acute” or “chronic”) stress comes and goes throughout the day, and varies per the situation. Acute stress can feel disproportionately overwhelming, and can come on very quickly -- but also may dissipate quickly. Chronic stress can feel very overwhelming, but is ongoing and for longer periods of time.