Stress is the "wear and tear" the body goes through as it adjusts to the constantly changing environment.

Anything that causes change in a person's life causes stress. Stress can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
Acute stress is the reaction to an immediate threat. This is commonly known as the "fight or flight" response. The
threat can be any situation that is seen as a danger. Common short-term stressors include:
• noise • illness • infection
• crowding • hunger
• being isolated from others • danger
 Imagining a threat or remembering a dangerous event can also evoke a stress response. Modern life frequently results
in ongoing stressful situations. These may include:
• difficult work or personal situations
• loneliness
• financial worries
• the recent death of a family member or loved one
• a move to a new home or change in job
• physical illness, especially long-term conditions
• difficulty sleeping or inability to obtain enough sleep

Stress between genders

Stress occurs all the time in most people's lives. At some point in their lives, almost all people will go through
stressful events or situations that overwhelm their ability to cope. Too much stress, however, can seriously affect
physical and mental well-being. Stress decreases the quality of life by reducing feelings of pleasure and
accomplishment. In addition, the body's response to stress can cause symptoms and illnesses of many kinds,
especially if the stress is prolonged. Stress may increase the risk of heart disease. It appears to have a greater impact
on a man's arteries than on a woman's. Men who report the most stress have almost five times the risk of having
atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. Stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal illnesses are also among the
most common physical consequences of stress. Job and financial concerns are among the most common stressors for
a man. He is supposed to be able to "support" his family. In today's economy, a family living on a single income is
rare. Most often the woman is working outside the home also. Job changes, whether planned or unexpected, add a
level of stress. Divorce is among the leading causes of stress. It is not uncommon for a man to find that he is the
primary caregiver for his children, or that he has joint custody. This may involve a many changes, which are very
stressful until a routine is formed. This is especially true for a man who has not been able to be involved much in
raising his children because of his job. Changes a man goes through in middle age may also increase stress. A man
may notice that his hairline is beginning to recede. If he is not active, he may gain weight. One temporary remedy to
stress may be stress-reduction exercises. Sometimes these techniques can be quite easy and simple. Taking a few
minutes to practice relaxation or meditation can help to ease some of the stress. Taking a vacation, developing
interests outside of work, and finding supportive friends who will listen can help to relieve stress. Sometimes, changes
in the workplace or renegotiation of the demands of the job may be needed. This may require joining with other
workers to document stressful conditions. There are support groups that a man can join to help him deal with these
changes. In addition, staying active, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of sleep will help to decrease the stress.
Exercising may decrease stress by increasing a person's health and giving them an outlet for relieving stress. For
example, while walking a person may be able to put his situation and stress in perspective and think of ways to
resolve the stress. Most men are less likely than women to talk to a friend about problems. However, if a man can find
a loyal friend who will take the time and keep his confidence, stress can be greatly relieved.

Eliminating stress from life is impossible. However, doing nothing to counteract stress will virtually guarantee that a
person will experience harmful physical, emotional and relational consequences.

EXERCISE 1 Match expressions with their definitions or synonyms

1. wear and tear a) the damage that happens to an object in ordinary use during a period
2. immediate threat b) direct danger
3. flight c) escape
4. evoke sth d) cause sb to remember, experience, feel sth
5. overwhelm e) cause sb to feel sudden strong emotion
6. affect f) influence sb x 2
7. well-being g) the state of being healthy and happy
8. concerns h) worries
9. have impact on
10. accomplishments
11. caregiver
12. [joint] custody
13. have a receding hairline
14. ease [pain, stress, tension]
15. document sth
16. an outlet for sth
i) achievements
j) guardian; a person who looks after / brings up a child
k) the legal right / duty of a parent [both parents] to bring up a child after divorce
l) lose hair from the front of the head towards the back
m) relieve
n) prove; record information in writing or in photos
o) a way in which emotions / energy can be expressed

EXERCISE 2 Fill the gaps with words from exercise 1

1. Her work provided no …………… for her energies and talents.
2. Anita was ……………….. by all the flowers and letters  she received for Valentines.
3. The smell of oranges always ……………. Memories of Christmas
4. After Anita divorced her hubby, she  received  ……………  of the child.
5. The study ………..  various aspects of Indian life in this period.
6. After their parents died, Anna, who was now an adult, became her younger sister’s ………………
7. People doing yoga benefit from an increased feeling of …………. -being.
8. When the pupils heard the bell ring, they took ……………. [ran away from the classroom]
9. Writing poetry was his only form of emotional  ………………...
10. Bob is completely bald but his twin brother has a …………… hairline.
11. We listened to some lively songs to ………….. a holiday mood.
12. After the divorce, the parents were given  ………….  custody.
13. His interest in cars has been well-……………….. by the media.  (= recorded and written about) 
14. This detergent is designed to …………. the fresh smell of summer meadows
15. He was o………………… by feelings of remorse for what he had done.
16. Seeing her grandchildren gave her a sense of well- ……………. .
17. The court  gave custody ……..  the child to the father which is unusual.
18. The child's  ………….. must give their consent before she has the operation.
19. They were ……………….  with grief when their grandma  died.
20. Nightmares are merely distressing dreams that ………..  fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, or any array of negative
emotions. 

KEY
1. Her work provided no OUTLET for her energies and talents.
2. Anita was OVERWHELMED by all the flowers and letters  she received for Valentines.
3. The smell of oranges always EVOKES Memories of Christmas
4. After Anita divorced her hubby, she  received  CUSTODY  of the child.
5. The study DOCUMENTS various aspects of Indian life in this period.
6. After their parents died, Anna, who was now an adult, became her younger sister’s CAREGIVER
7. People doing yoga benefit from an increased feeling of WELL -being.
8. When the pupils heard the bell ring, they took FLIGHT [ran away from the classroom]
9. Writing poetry was his only form of emotional OUTLET.
10. Bob is completely bald but his twin brother has a RECEEDING hairline.
11. We listened to some lively songs to EVOKE a holiday mood.
12. After the divorce, the parents were given  JOINT  custody.
13. His interest in cars has been well-DOCUMENTED (= recorded and written about) by the media.
14. This detergent is designed to EVOKE the fresh smell of summer meadows
15. He was OVERWHELMED by feelings of remorse for what he had done.
16. Seeing her grandchildren gave her a sense of well- BEING .
17. The court  gave custody OF  the child to the father which is unusual.
18. The child's  CAREGIVERS must give their consent before she has the operation.
19. They were OVERWHELMED  with grief when their grandma  died.
20. Nightmares are merely distressing dreams that  EVOKE  fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, or any array of negative
emotions.