In biological terms, the symptoms of stress are brought on by hormones - the same hormones that triggered the "fight or flight syndrome" which developed long ago to help us deal with ancient dangers such as saber-tooth tigers. In modern times, traffic, deadlines, and other pressures have become the contemporary "tigers." The stress hormones are released when we perceive ourselves to be in danger or threatened. This perception is usually brought on when a demand upon us seems to exceed our resources - resources such as money, time, skill, or energy.

Among other things, these hormones:

• Speed up the heart rate and increase blood pressure, so extra blood is pumped around the body.
• Slow the flow of blood to the digestive system, so more of it gets to the brain and muscles.
• Cause muscles to tense.

Occasional stress is a normal part of life, but when stress becomes chronic, it begins to take a toll on the body. Fortunately, as you will see, we have some control over which things we perceive to be "tigers" and how we respond to them.

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