Your Work: Frazzled or Dazzled?

And guess what? Financial stresses and work stresses aren't onetime muggers; they’re constantly battling you—meaning that chronic stress has real potential for pummeling your insides. What’s really fascinating from a scientific perspective is the bridge between good stress and bad stress. While many of us would typically say that life would be just grand if you could work from a hammock, the truth is that some amount of stress can be good for you and your job performance (which ultimately relieves stress, right?). Just take a look at this quick chart to see how your body reacts to stress. On the left, see the difference between being relaxed and being stressed. More important, look at the change between the acute kind (like a monthly deadline) and the chronic kind (like a nagging boss who hovers over you like a well-planted beach umbrella).