Lesson 1. Stress vs Distress

What is stress?

It may come as a surprise to know that stress is a necessary and important ingredient to life. Not all stress is harmful.

We call the things that cause stress – although different in origin and intensity – stressors. Stressors include basic feelings such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness. Without these feelings we would not go looking for food, drink and rest, which help to keep our bodies alive, fit and well. Stress also includes the heart-rending emotional strains of bereavement or divorce and other long-term problems, giving rise to anxieties. Stress provides the stimuli to physical, mental, social and spiritual growth as the various needs are met. These are areas of life that need to be developed.