How do you define stress? In brief, stress is the feeling of being under abnormal pressure, whether it is due to an increased workload, an argument with a family member, or financial worries. While stress affects everyone in one way or another, there are certain times and situations when pressure piles up, and we need a little extra support to help us cope. While research has shown that some stress can be positive, making us more alert and helping us perform better in certain situations, stress is only healthy if it is short lived.

If you are stuck in a busy office or an overcrowded train, you can't fight or run away, so you can't use up the chemicals your own body has produced to protect you. Over time the buildup of these chemicals and the changes they produce can seriously damage your health. You may experience a variety of feelings when you are stressed, including anxiety, irritability, or low self-worth. These will eventually result in secluding yourself from others, the inability to stand up for yourself, and the inability to make wise decisions. You may overanalyze situations, worry too much about others, and be restless due to overthinking.

At certain times in your life, you may feel out of control when it comes to your stress levels. There will always be constant demands in all areas of your life: your time, your finances, your career, your attention. But the simple fact is you have more control over the stress in your life than you might initially think. Realizing this is the key to stress management. You have to take charge over all areas of your life, particularly your problem-solving skills, to manage stress.

The purpose of this book is to help you to achieve this. It will assist you in identifying what it is in your life that causes you stress and how to best deal with it.