Introduction

To better understand stress, it is important to understand the underlying physical functions and processes involved in the stress response.  At one time or another, every system in the body becomes involved in the stress response, beginning with the central nervous system (CNS) and including the automatic nervous system (ANS), the endocrine system and the immune system.  Let’s take a closer look at the physiological reactions involved in the stress response.  The following section borrows from the work of Dr. Lori Leyden-Rubenstein a leading authority in stress research. In her book, The Stress Management Handbook: Strategies for Health and Inner Peace, Leyden-Rubenstein summarises the stress response as follows...