When the cause of the stress can be identified, is of short duration, and can be responded to by a specific set of actions that eliminate the cause, this is a healthy stress reaction. However, when the source of the stress is not identifiable, becomes excessive, repeated, prolonged, or continuous, it becomes "dis-stress" and creates unhealthy physiological and psychological reactions.

To understand why exposure to stress, especially prolonged stress, can cause ill health, it is helpful to know what changes take place in the body during the individual's response. The heart starts beating faster in order to get more blood to the muscles, adrenaline and other hormones are released to provide more energy, additional stomach acids are secreted, and respiration increases. All these changes are intended to prepare the body for action. When these bodily processes are constantly functioning, however, our bodies are working