Unit 2 Introduction

Stress, Coping, and the Body

Everyone experiences stress. An upcoming exam that you did not get to study quite enough for, responsibilities at home and from parents, or even your friends acting different than normal might be enough to set off your stress response.

Stress is a normal part of life. It can be a response to a sudden event in life, or it can be more prolonged. The word stress can cover a wide range of behavioural reactions and emotions depending on the individual. Stress also pushes the limits of a person’s coping abilities, which is why an individual feels stress. By the end of this section, you will be able to not only define what stress is but also be able to explain what stressors are and how they affect your life.