8 What is Stress?

We define stress simply as “any event in which environmental demands, internal demands, or both tax or exceed the adaptive resources of an individual [or] social system” (Monat & Lazarus, 1991, p. 3).

There are two types of stress in our life: Life Events and Daily Hassles

Life events can be considered the big stuff, the stuff that creates a major disruption or change in your environment, your relationships, your daily patterns of activities, or (the really big stuff) your life’s goals, dreams, and aspirations.

Daily hassles can be considered the small stuff.  The stuff that is super annoying and frustrating but usually only in the short term.