Page 2 - stressmanagement

Wellness@Boston Page 77

STRESS MANAGEMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

When we talk about “being stressed”, we are, in fact, talking about negative
stress. Before we go on to a definition of stress, let’s remember that there is

positive stress, too, which we can use in our favour. The purpose of this

section is, then, two-fold: you will learn about negative stress, its causes and
symptoms, and how to cope with it; and about positive stress, and how to

make it work for you.

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is our instinctive reaction to changes in our lives. Events that cause

stress can be a long slow-moving queue at the supermarket, being stuck in a
traffic jam, losing your keys, the death of a loved one or the birth of a baby.

Some changes are good, others are bad, but our intrinsic reaction is the

same.

Imagine that you are driving to work or college, and you approach a busy
intersection. The light is green in your favour but, without warning, a car jumps

the robot, crossing the intersection right in front of you!

© Boston City Campus & Business College-JV-V.1-13102016