Stress is a common psychological and physiological phenomenon that occurs when an individual perceives that the demands placed upon them exceed, or may exceed, their ability to cope effectively. In behavioural sciences, stress is understood not simply as an external pressure or difficult situation, but as the interaction between environmental demands and an individual’s perception, interpretation, emotional response, and coping resources. Thus, the same situation may produce severe stress in one person but little or no stress in another. The word stress has its origins in the Latin word *strictus*, meaning “drawn tight” or “narrow.” In everyday life, stress refers to tension, pressure, worry, or strain experienced in response to challenging circumstances. In scientific psychology, however, stress has a broader meaning. It involves a state of psychological and physiological arousal that arises when a person perceives a situation as threatening, demanding, or difficult to manage. Stress can result from both positive and negative events. For example, examinations, unemployment, relationship problems, financial difficulties, illness, workplace pressure, and bereavement can cause stress, while marriage, promotion, relocation, or starting a new course may also produce stress because they require adjustment. One of the most influential explanations of stress was given by Hans Selye, who described stress as the “non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it.” According to Selye, the body responds to different kinds of demands through a general physiological pattern. He proposed the General Adaptation Syndrome, consisting of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. During the alarm stage, the body recognizes a threat and activates the fight-or-flight response. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and muscle tension may increase. During the resistance stage, the individual attempts to adapt to the continuing stressor and maintain normal functioning. If the stressful condition continues for a prolonged period and the body’s resources become depleted, the exhaustion stage may occur, resulting in fatigue and reduced resistance to illness. Stress can be understood through three major perspectives: the stimulus perspective, the response perspective, and the interactional perspective. The stimulus perspective defines stress in terms of external events or environmental conditions that place demands on an individual. Such conditions are called stressors. Examples include excessive workload, noise, conflict, financial difficulties, examination pressure, and major