GOOD AND BAD STRESS
Short bursts of stress are not dangerous. In fact, we are designed to cope with these. We do so with what is known as the �fight or flight� reaction. Adrenaline and other stress-linked hormones are released into our body to allow us to deal with the immediate problem or - as in the days when we used to hunt our own food - run away as quickly as possible.

Longer-term or chronic stress, however, is a slightly different problem and, although it never kills anyone as such, it is probably a risk factor for developing heart problems in later life. It also undoubtedly contributes to other health problems, such as insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and migraines, if it is allowed to continue unchecked.

The exact reasons for this remain unclear but it seems that the pace of life in the 21st century now means that many people find it increasingly difficult to �switch off� from their stresses, and so feel unwell as a result.