Stress is the body's natural physical and emotional response to danger and difficulties that threaten to overwhelm or destroy us. Stress occurs in several different forms: acute, episodic acute, and chronic. Acute stress is the everyday demands we all face. It can actually produce pleasure, as well, such as winning a race. Episodic acute stress results from endless anxiety and constant struggles with dilemmas and outside forces and events. This describes people who are called "worrywarts" or "Type A's". They are often tense and irritable. Chronic stress is a long-term situation that wears people down: the worry of war and terrorism, poverty, bad relationships, problems with the job. These people find it impossible to change and feel like life is hopeless.

It has been researched and found that up to 90^% of all illness is related to stress. If your body is in a constant state of "readiness", it cannot recover. Eating and sleep patterns are affected. Relationships suffer, and depression can take over.

The answer: find a way to relax. Find a solution that fits your needs. Play more. Seek out like-minded individuals and do something for fun. Move around. Search for games that make your mind work. Spend some quiet time with yourself. Pray, meditate, listen to music, watch fish in an aquarium, take a walk in the woods, go fishing, go swimming, cook a meal for friends.

Finally, find a way to laugh. It is a freeing experience.