ALTHOUGH THE STRESSOR MAY VARY, THE BODY'S PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO STRESS REMAINS BASICALLY THE SAME. THIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN CALLED THE GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME (GAS). THE GAS BEGINS WITH THE ALARM REACTION, MOVES INTO THE STAGE OF RESISTANCE, AND, IF LONG-CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO THE SAME STRESSOR OCCURRS, IT DEVELOPS INTO THE STAGE OF EXHAUSTION. THE GAS OCCURS IN RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL, PHYSICAL, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSORS. HOWEVER, STRESS CAN BE A POSITIVE FORCE TO MOTIVATE PEOPLE IN TAKING ACTIONS FOR THEIR OWN GOOD. WHEN STRESS IS NEGATIVE IN ITS EFFECTS, IT IS TERMED 'DISTRESS.' DISEASES CORRELATED TO STRESS INCLUDE TENSION HEADACHES, COLITIS, ULCERS, AND ALLERGIES SUCH AS ASTHMA AND HAY FEVER, AS WELL AS DIABETES MELLITUS, REHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, ACCIDENTS, AND VARIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES. THE RELATIONSHIP OF STRESS TO OTHER CONDITIONS IS NOT CERTAIN, BUT RESEARCHERS BELIEVE STRESS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN HYPERTENSION, CORONARY HEART DISEASE, STROKE, AND CANCER. TECHNIQUES TO HELP THE BODY DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH STRESS INCLUDE MEDITATION, PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION, AUTOGENIC TRAINING, AND BIOFEEDBACK. THE TEACHING OF RELAXATION, ITS PRACTICE, AND FEEDBACK AS TO ITS EFFECTIVENESS SHOULD ALL BE PART OF HEALTH EDUCATION INSTRUCTION. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (PRG)