Stress comes in a variety of forms on any given day–ranging from missing an important phone call to getting married.

But Cassandra Bensch, owner of One Pebble Life Coaching, defines stress as “any request or demand placed upon us that is real or perceived.”

She explained the broad effects–and ways to manage stress–during her talk at the Rossford Business Association’s June luncheon meeting.

She asked the RBA members to ponder “what stresses you out?” with examples such as “kids screaming” and “bills due.”

Ms. Bensch noted that stress impacts introverts and extroverts differently.

For introverts, it may be speaking in front of a group or making cold calls at work. However, extroverts also need their time alone, despite enjoying the company and attention of groups of people.

While the difference between bad stress and good stress may be evident, such as sleeping through an alarm compared to landing a new client, she explained, “our brains don’t understand good versus bad.”

“That’s why so many people say they need a vacation from a vacation,” she added.

That heightened awareness, racing heart and adrenaline surge may help people to achieve their goals, but in spite of the benefits, the human body does not like change–even when it’s the fun, new experiences of traveling.

“We’re creatures of habit, creatures of comfort,” she said.

Ms. Bensch advises her clients to ask themselves a variety of questions to gauge how they can manage stress.

Those include: where is stress making your life hurt? What has or will stress cost you if you don’t do anything about it? What would your life look like with stress reduced?

“Many of us are so busy taking care of others,” she explained. “Give yourself permission to daydream and picture what you want for life.”

Ms. Bensch cautioned that change typically only happens when “we have strong enough desire or something forces us to change–but then we can resent that.”

Small changes, one at a time, are the most effective ways to improve stress levels, she advised.

For more information, visit onepebblelifecoaching.com.