Stress is any circumstance that threatens or is perceived to threaten one's well-being and that thereby taxes one's coping abilities. Many everyday events such as car trouble, waiting in line, bills you can't pay, or Christmas shopping can cause stress. Major and minor stresses are two different things but they can strongly be tied together. For example, someone who is going through a major stressful event like a terminal illness in the family can trigger minor stressful events such as funeral arrangements, the will, and other important decisions.

It is very often that events that are stressful for one person are not at all stressful for the next person. For instance, many people find it stressful to be on a cruise ship, yet others including the captain can not be taken away from the sea. A number of studies have shown that anxious, neurotic people report more stress...