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 overwhelming or causes huge suffering, cognitive-behavior therapy can help. Interventions that cognitive-behavior therapists use to treat stress include using brainstorming and other problem-solving strategies to solve external situations that are overwhelming or unmanageable, pinpointing and changing cognitions (such as "I can't handle this situation") and behaviors (e.g., working nonstop without breaks or assistance) that can feed stress, and improving self-care, such as establishing regular routines for exercise, sleep, and socialization.