Source: APA Topics — Stress Link: https://www.apa.org/topics/stress.

The Science of Stress Management: Practical, evidence-based ways to handle everyday stressors, from acute work problems to chronic life issues.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines stress as a physiological or psychological response to internal or external stressors. It is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that impacts nearly every system in the body, influencing how we feel, think, and behave (APA, 2026).

While short-term stress can act as a motivator, prolonged exposure to stressors triggers a sustained "f ...