What are stressors?

Stressors are events or situations that can lead to significant changes in an individual's health and wellness, often resulting in stress or anxiety. They can stem from various sources, including external pressures like work-related challenges, personal relationships, or major life changes. Stressors can impact mental, emotional, and physical well-being, leading to various symptoms or health issues if not appropriately managed.

Understanding that stressors contribute to health fluctuations and overall wellness is crucial, especially for those in high-stress occupations like law enforcement and corrections. This knowledge allows individuals to develop coping strategies to mitigate the effects of stress and maintain better health outcomes.

While positive changes can indeed bring about stress—an aspect of the human experience often referred to as 'eustress'—it is the negative implications and burdens of stressors on well-being that this question focuses on. Temporary feelings of anxiety and physical conditions affecting productivity may be linked to stress, but they do not encapsulate the broader definition of stressors.