Sources and Consequences of Stress: A Call for Action

A stress-free life is not possible in today's environment. This article is an attempt to present an overview of sources and consequences of stress. It discusses the various sources of stress, i.e., general sources as well as sources of stress at work. Every individual needs a moderate amount of stress to be alert and capable of functioning. However, an excess of stress can make a person dysfunctional. The threshold of stress differs for each individual. The consequences of stress have been described under three broad categories: Psychosomatic, psychological, and behavioral. Though stress has become an inevitable part of our social functioning, it can be prevented and managed to a large extent through planned efforts. Some strategies for counteracting stress at organizational and individual levels have been suggested.