Passage 55. Stress and RelaxationIt is commonly believed that only rich middle―aged businessmen suffer from stress.In fact anyone may become ill as a result of stress if they experience a lot of worry over a long period and their health is not especially good.Stress can be a friend or an enemy: it can warn you that you are under too much pressure and should change your way of life.It can kill you if you don't notice the warning signals.Doctors agree that it is probably the biggest single cause of illness in the Western world.When we are very frightened and worried our bodies produce certain chemicals to help us fight what is troubling us.Unfortunately, these chemicals produce the energy needed to run away fast from an object of fear, and in modern life that's often impossible.If we don't use up these chemicals, or if we produce too many of them, they may actually harm us.The parts of the body that are most affected by stress are the stomach, heart,skin, head and back.Stress can cause car accidents, heart attacks, and alcoholism, and may even drive people to suicide.
