Key Points Defining Stress Causes of Stress 3 Symptoms of Distress

How do you combat fatigue, stress, and fear in yourself? In your Soldiers?
In the past seven months (in Afghanistan) I have learned a lot about how I deal
with combat fatigue and stress. I have found that finding a little time for myself
each day or even each week allows me to regenerate and focus. Having a sense 
of humor and not taking things so personally have also helped reduce my stress
levels. Keeping a notebook with me at all times and writing tasks, missions, or
even just things to do has helped me keep my mind at ease, rather than thinking
that I have forgotten to do something. Maintaining communication with my
family and friends, whether through e-mail or phone conversations, also keeps 
me grounded . . . (3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (L)).
2LT Gisela Mendonca 
Defining Stress
Stress is the way human beings react both physically and mentally to changes, events, and
situations in their lives. People experience stress in different ways and for different reasons.
The reaction is based on your perception of an event or situation. If you view a situation
negatively, you will likely feel distressed—overwhelmed, oppressed, or out of control. Distress
is the more familiar form of stress. The other form, eustress, results from a “positive” view
of an event or situation, which is why it is also called “good stress.”
Eustress helps you rise to a challenge and can be an antidote to boredom because it
engages focused energy. That energy can easily turn to distress, however, if something causes
you to view the situation as unmanageable or out of control. Many people regard public
speaking or airplane flights as very stressful—causing physical reactions such as an increased
heart rate and a loss of appetite—while others look forward to the event. It’s often a question
of perception: A positive stressor for one person can be a negative stressor for another.