<P> The difference between experiences that result in eustress and those that result in distress is determined by the disparity between an experience (real or imagined) and personal expectations, and resources to cope with the stress . Alarming experiences, either real or imagined, can trigger a stress response . </P> <P> Responses to stress include adaptation, psychological coping such as stress management, anxiety, and depression . Over the long term, distress can lead to diminished health and / or increased propensity to illness; to avoid this, stress must be managed . </P> <P> Stress management encompasses techniques intended to equip a person with effective coping mechanisms for dealing with psychological stress, with stress defined as a person's physiological response to an internal or external stimulus that triggers the fight - or - flight response . Stress management is effective when a person uses strategies to cope with or alter stressful situations . </P> <P> There are several ways of coping with stress, such as controlling the source of stress or learning to set limits and to say "no" to some of the demands that bosses or family members may make . </P>

The adaptive physiologic response to stressful events is called