The Oxford Dictionary defines the word "stress" as "a state of affair involving demand on physical or mental energy". It is a condition or circumstance (not always adverse), which can disturb the normal physical and mental health of an individual. Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way. These events or demands are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. In medical parlance "stress" is defined as a perturbation of the body´s homeostasis.

This demand on mind-body occurs when it tries to cope with incessant changes in life. A "stress" condition seems "relative" in nature. Extreme stress conditions, psychologists say, are detrimental to human health but in moderation stress is normal and, in many cases, proves useful. Stress, nonetheless, is synonymous with negative conditions. However, anything that forces us to adjust can be a stressor. This includes positive events such as getting married or receiving a promotion.

Regardless of whether an event is good or bad, if the changes it brings strain our coping skills and adaptive resources, the end result is the subjective feeling of stress and the body´s biological stress response. Today, with the rapid diversification of human activity, one comes face to face with numerous causes of stress and the symptoms of stress and depression. At one point everybody suffers from stress. Physical as well as mental health problems, pressure at workplaces, traffic snarls, meeting deadlines, growing-up tensions all of these conditions and situations are valid causes of stress.

People have their own methods of stress management. In some people, stress-induced adverse feelings and anxieties tend to persist and intensify. Learning to understand and master stress management techniques can help prevent the counter effects of this urban malaise. The potential causes of stress are numerous. Your stress may be linked to outside factors such as the state of the world, the environment in which you live or work, or your family. Your stress can also come from your own irresponsible behavior, negative attitudes and feelings, or unrealistic expectations.

The causes of stress are highly individual. What you consider stressful depends on many factors, including your personality, general outlook on life, problem-solving abilities, and social support system. Something that´s stressful to you may be neutral or even enjoyable to someone else. Stressors can be divided into three broad categories like frustrations, conflicts, pressures.

 Intellectual symptoms include memory problems, difficulty making decisions, inability to concentrate, confusion, seeing only the negative, repetitive or racing thoughts, poor judgment, loss of objectivity, desire to escape or run away.

 Emotional symptoms include moody and hypersensitive, restlessness and anxiety, depression, anger and resentment, easily irritated, sense of being overwhelmed, lack of confidence, apathy, and an urge to laugh or cry at inappropriate times.

Physical symptoms are headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension and pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, weight gain or loss, asthma or shortness of breath, skin problems, decreased sex drive.

Behavioral symptoms are eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little, isolating yourself from others, neglecting your responsibilities, increasing alcohol and drug use, Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing), teeth grinding or jaw clenching, overdoing activities such as exercising or shopping, losing your temper, overreacting to unexpected problems.