Everyone experiences stress at some point in life. Hans Selye, a scientist who popularized the concept of stress, said, “Stress as a scientific concept suffers the misfortune of being too widely known and too poorly understood.”

Despite the fact that stress is one of the most common human experiences, it is surprisingly difficult to define. Scientists say that stress is a force or event that impairs normal stability, balance or functioning. The following example may make stress easier to understand. The stress of a strong wind might alter the balance of a suspension bridge so that the bridge swings from side to side. Usually people who are driving across the bridge, do not even notice the gentle swaying of it. Even though, when the wind increases, the swaying of the bridge becomes obvious to everyone. Although this swaying might make people feel uncomfortable or anxious, it is actually the way that the bridge copes with stress. If the bridge did not sway at all, it would be brittle and more likely to be damaged by the stress of the wind. If the strength of the wind increased dramatically, so that the limits of the bridge were exceeded, the bridge could actually collapse.

Human beings possess innate mechanisms to confront and alleviate stress, yet the complexities of modern existence often thwart these responses, particularly in the face of chronic stress. Contemporary society brims with sources of enduring stress, ranging from persistent familial discord and financial strain to protracted dissatisfaction in employment. Chronic stress exacts a toll on mental faculties and physiological well-being, gradually depleting resources and inflicting harm upon both brain and body.

Stress therapy, also known as stress management or stress management therapy, can help people learn to manage stressful situations or feelings. Among the array of therapeutic modalities, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stands out as a widely utilized approach. Whether employed over a short or protracted duration, CBT empowers individuals to identify stressors and cultivate healthier responses, thereby diminishing the impact of triggers while reshaping thought patterns and subsequent behaviors.