Is stress harmful?

Yes it can be: In some it can be, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Yes and no: "too much" stress can be too much for the body to process, integrate, and adapt to -- in which case it can wreak havoc on the body. But stress that "challenges without overwhelming" can ultimately result in a strengthening of the body by "provoking" its innate capacity to self-heal. For example, "too much" exercise is bad; but "just the right amount" of exercise is good! :).

Can be: There is a stress to performance optimum that meets in a bell shaped curve. Too little, it's like the jamaican airport. To much, insomnia, daytime fatigue and the ability to get out of your background noise decreases performance. Insomnia is your biggest clue. Recurrent awakenings can be the beginning of a pathologic process? The adrenal gland can pump out norepinephrine increasing blood pres.

Remedies for stress: A certain amount of stress is normal, however unchecked, stress can cause and contribute to disease. Anxiety, hypertension, lowered immune response are all linked to stress. The best remedy for stress is mindfulness and meditation. Meditation can come in many forms from breathing, to yoga, and even sustained exercise. Whatever you choose, sustained stress management is the best prevention.

Stress: Chronic stress can be be very harmful. When we release stress hormones they can interfere with memory and even kill neurons in the memory center of the brain if persistent. Stress interferes with sleep, energy and can cause low mood. Best reliever-regular exercise.

New research: Indicates that stress may only be harmful if you believe it is harmful. It may be our attitude about stress that is most harmful. Check out the full information at http://www.Ted.Com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.Html.

Yes: Take a look at this article published on the apa website:http://www.Apa.Org/research/action/immune.Aspx.