What is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger—such as steering a bike out of a driveway if a car is approaching. But stress can also be a bad thing, if yours is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. Young people experience stress at a high rate, and females more than males, an extensive Associated Press/MTV survey showed in 2007. People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, irritable, and unable to concentrate or sleep, so it’s important to identify when you might be “feeling stressed” and take steps to lessen your stress level.