What stress does to you seems to hinge on how much stress you have and what sorts of stress. It can also hinge on what your past has taught you about stress - how you have learned to react to stress.

The biological signs of stress are meant to help you physically survive. In your world, this is rarely helpful, since most stress today is psychological.

Psychological stress will come from issues such as concern about money, relationships, and your health. Your body's physical reaction to stress does not help these situations. Since these situations are common and long-lasting, your body can potentially be in a constant state of stress.

High stress can cause health problems as varied as muscle tension, sleep problems, mental confusion, depression and digestion problems. Health problems from stress eventually just increase the stress you already have.

Common sense tells you that managing your stress is important. There are all kinds of people and companies that will offer advice, products and services to help your stress. If every option worked the same for everyone, that would not be a problem. But, we're all different. What works for your friend, may not work for you.

Finding the right choice for yourself is easier when you are more aware of what causes your stress and how you experience it.

It helps to decide if your stress is from situations or behaviors - Is your stress in proportion to the current situations or does it feel blown out of proportion? It may not be easy to figure this part out on your own.

If your stress is situational, what are the situations and can they dealt with in a practical way? Do you have the time and energy to get some form of exercise and a proper diet? (I know from personal experience, if I have high stress, it is when my life is too busy to work-out or get to the grocery store for planned meals. That's when I need to slow down.)

If your stress if from behaviors, spend some time reviewing the situation. Separate what is about now and what is about the past, such as memories of past emotional events. (the stronger the emotion, the more vivid the memory. The more vivid the memory, the stronger the stress you will continue to feel from it.)

When you better understand your past, you are better able to find ways to effectively deal with it.

Stress from current situations is easier to manage, once you find what works for you. Stress from behaviors or past experience may need outside help to get through and may take a little longer to deal with. But, it IS possible, and IS worth doing.

Seek professional help. Medication is sometimes an answer, but many people that have used medication for stress, experience side effects that affect their enjoyment of life. They often say they don't know which is worse, to be on the medication or to be stressed.

Look into your options and find what fits for you. Then, make use of them. When it comes to improving your life, the only poor choice is to not make a choice.