The word stress can refer both to internal psychological states of feeling anxious, pressured, burdened, overwhelmed, unhappy, and similar, and to external events or situations that contribute to those internal states, such as demanding work responsibilities, financial burdens, or family problems. Stress of both sorts is ubiquitous; we all experience it at times.

If stress becomes unduly distressing or overwhelming, cognitive-behavior therapy can help. Interventions that cognitive-behavior therapists use to treat stress include using brainstorming and other problem-solving strategies to help the person identify and implement solutions to overwhelming or unmanageable problems, pinpointing and changing cognitions (such as "I can't handle this situation") and behaviors (e.g., working nonstop without breaks or assistance) that can exacerbate stress, and improving self-care, such as establishing regular routines for exercise, sleep, and socializing.