Some stress is actually healthy for us—it helps us perform at peak levels. It can help uscomplete a project on time, achieve an important goal, or be vigilant and safe in a difficultsituation. If our stressor is brief, we may have the skills to deal with it well. Even when thestress is intense, we are biologically hardwired as human beings to deal with it in a “freeze, fightor flight” reaction. The extra surges of adrenaline and cortisol are a survival mechanism that canhelp us react quickly and effectively.