Stress is universal and affects adults, kids and teens at some levels of their lives. However, it is possible to reduce the effects of stress and manage them wisely without allowing them to take over the individuals' life.

Stress is a feeling that is perceived because of some particular event in the environment and an individual's response to it. It is the manner a body reacts to a specific challenge.

Stressors are events or incidences that incite stress. This state could cover a wide gambit of situations from physical dangers to perceived dangers. On getting the stress perceptions, human body reacts by triggering the nervous system and related hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol are hormones that are released into the blood stream.
These hormones speed up the rate of heartbeat, the breathing rate and metabolism. Blood vessels are made to dilate and more blood flows into the muscle groups. This puts the muscles on high alert. There are several other changes that take place to prepare the individual to react to dangerous situations. This helps them in handling the pressures effectively. This entire process is known as stress response.

This stress response is essential and helps a person to perform well when under pressure. However, serious problems are caused when the stress response fails to turn off or reacts excessively. It is noted that this stress response can wear out the body's reserves and leave a person feeling exhausted or inundated. It also results in weakening of the immune system and thus, exposing the individuals to different types of infections.

Pressures that are too forceful or are long drawn are reasons of prolonged stress. Individuals who are unable to share their worldly responsibilities and have to shoulder them all alone are also found to be under stress.

Hence, it is very important for individuals to know how to "de-stress." This will help them to cope with stress in a longer perspective and not succumb to it.