It is readily apparent that a percieved physical threat to our lives would provoke such a response in a human. In such a situation the human animal has a physical response to make as hasty escape as possible or is need be fight to preserve life. What happens if this stress response is triggered and the human is physically prevented from taking any action–rape victims, kidnap victims, hostages? Unless an individual is mentally and physically trained for such an event, long term exposure to the stress response trigger without the opportunity to act upon it will cause mental breakdown. The cause, as it was alluded to above is the victims lack of control. Without control over one’s situation, the hormonal stress response is thwarted, damaging the body over time.

However, as a rational animal, the human is also affected by perceived NON-physical threats. Is it not less of a threat to one’s life that food no longer provide proper nutrients, health care no longer cures illness, and even the most frugal person is robbed of most of his earnings by endless taxes and fees? What makes this threat deadly is that he has no control over it. His mind unconsciously puts him in the same position as the hostage–threated without an escape. This wage-earner’s situation however lasts a lifetime–however long it may be.

For this reason I would define stress as the unconscious instinctual recognition of a threat to our life or well-being which demands immediate action.

Dr. Robert Mendelsohn defines it more relevantly however as the constant feeling of powerlessness under the authority and oppression of the modern state. Against this feeling, FEW people can resist.

And no amount of exercise will banish THIS stress!

FJ – Exactly….why stress over a comment.