Stress was originally isolated and defined by Dr. Hans Selye, the "grandfather" of stress research. Dr. Selye defined stress as the nonspecific response of the body to any demand. The effect is nonspecific because it effects up in three primary ways: Physically, Emotionally, And Interpersonally (Selye). Individuals react to stress in different ways with different stimuli, different impacts, and different damages to the body. One person may react very strongly and another weakly to the same situation. That difference in reactions is due primarily to different evaluations of the same event.
             Stress is not always a negative factor in our lives. The human body was designed to operate very efficiently. The stress reaction, in its purely physical application, is a necessary reaction that exists in most mammals if no all life forms. The reaction is simply a mechanism in the body that prepares it to fight off or flee from a threat to that body. Muscles are moved to their maximum capacity and sensitivity is heightened. The cardio-vascular system goes into high gear as the pulse and blood pressure increase and breathing becomes more rapid. Muscles tense, pupils of the eyes dilate and perspiration increases. Blood is directed to vital organs and peripheral muscles. The stress reaction is a physical, chemical, and emotional reaction which causes tension. This is a normal reaction to a stressful event (Snyder). We must know about these changes so we can better respond to stressful events and recognize stress in ourselves and others.
             When a stressful event is real, it calls us to run or fight, the physiological changes provide for our surviving that event. When the threat is defeated, we experience the relaxation response, the counter response to the flight or flight response. The body and mind totally relax as muscles relax, brain wave activity changes and neutralizing chemicals enter the bloodstream to counter the t...