The body’s response to a challenge or demand is stress. Everyone is subject to stress, which can be brought on by a variety of events ranging from little irritations to big life changes such as divorce or job loss. Physical components of the stress response include increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as thoughts and personal ideas about the stressful experience, as well as emotions such as fear and rage. Although we commonly associate stress with unpleasant events, it can also result from positive developments in your life, such as a job promotion or the birth of a child.