It is evident to you by now that stress is a part of life. Your body is prepared to respond to stress in ways that preserve your health and safety. Positive stress keeps you performing well and can be inspiring and motivating. You have read that the chemicals released by stress may inspire improvements in memory, mood, perspective on problems, and physical wellness.

Stress can heighten your senses and improve performance, pushing you to higher levels of performance. Great athletes often perform their greatest feats in championship settings.  The perfect timing of their performances is more than just the perfect measure of training; it is also the result positive effects of stress in that moment.   

But when it continues over a long period of time, stress can have negative results. Negative stress—distress— is often linked to the feeling that you do not have control. Ongoing distress may cause you to experience recurring chest pain, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, and difficulty remembering. Stress management, which is described as understanding and controlling your stress, is important to your personal well being and your learning.