But can stress really be all that bad? What is stress? 

When we think about stress, all too often we view it in a negative light and find ways to avoid it. We sign up for activities promising stress relief, learn new techniques to cope with stress, and find all means and ways to manage our stress, in much the same way we try to find a way to manage unruly hair.

But can stress really be all that bad? What is stress?

Stress is a natural biological reaction that allows us to respond immediately and effectively to threats. For example, if you were to see a hungry lion stalking towards you, the spike in two stress hormones—adrenaline and cortisol—gives you a temporary boost in energy so that you can run away more quickly. In a school environment, sudden stress from an unexpected announcement of a pop quiz for example, can cause students to feel more energized, alert and focused.

Stress can also be a great motivator for people to reach their full potential. People who are experienced in dealing with stress learn to cope with adversity and are better equipped to deal with similar stressful situations in future.

Unfortunately, stress also causes many changes to your body, and not all of them are helpful in every stressful situation. For example, if you’re stressed by thoughts of an upcoming exam, you might experience muscle tension, an increase in heart rate or a decrease in appetite, but these changes won’t necessarily help you to do well! Stress can also lead you to suffer emotional distress. Long-term stress can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and a weaker immune system overall. If your muscles are always tense, you can wind up developing tension headaches or body aches too.

Questions:

1. What do people usually view stress as?

2. What is the speaker’s attitude toward stress?

3. Why do people usually react more effectively and quickly in the face of sudden danger?

4. What kind of people can cope with stress better according to the passage?