Stress can be defined as many things to different people. It could be an upcoming academic exam, a pressing work deadline, a failed business deal, a tragic loss, or a series of traumatic events. Whichever way you define stress, it has the same effect on the body for all of us – physical and emotional stressors create physiological and biochemical changes. Stress is a common malady for modern-day women who often need to work full time, run a household, manage children and everything else that comes with our fast-paced society. Stress is a natural mechanism designed for short periods. With continued stress, however, thyroid function can weaken as the body attempts to balance the effects of adrenaline and cortisol. As a result, long-term stress can lead to adrenal exhaustion. What are the Types of Stress? Emotional stress - anger, depression, fear, frustration, sadness or bereavement, remembering past trauma Mental stress - work deadlines, an increase in working hours or workload, feelings of responsibility, the gravity of commitments or discipline, anticipatory anxiety and high ideals, drive and perfectionism Chemical stress - caused by environmental pollution and toxic chemicals Nutritional stress - deficiencies in vital nutrients to sustain life and over-consumption of unhealthy foods, food allergies, addictions and eating disorders Physical stress - demands placed on the body due to long work hours, inadequate sleep and rest, exercise, hard labour and birthing Psycho-spiritual stress - relationship pressure, financial issues, career pressure, frustrations in reaching life goals and spiritual enlightenment Stressors initiate chemical responses between the brain (limbic system) and the nervous system. These messages stimulate the autonomic nervous system to respond either via emotional expression or survival mechanisms (fight or flight). Increased stress hormones produced in the adrenals (cortisol and adrenalin) cause a reaction in the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). While we may experience the same situation as another, we deal with it in our own unique way. However, when someone experiences a stressor of any origin and interprets it as negative, the body reacts in the same specific manner. This is called the