[Health in stress: change in the stress concept and its significance for prevention, health and life style].

SUBJECT

The significance of the modern stress concept for health behaviour and prevention.

METHODS/RESULTS: Many different definitions of the term "stress" exist concurrently. This observation is important for medicine because of the extensive and increasing use of this term in scientific publications. For a better understanding, the historical development of the stress concept and its association with the biopsychosocial model, with psychoneuroimmunology, mind/body medicine, and prevention/public health is illustrated. "Stress" is interpreted as a more general term that describes the effects of psychosocial and environmental factors on physical or mental well-being. Stressors and stress reactions are distinguished. "Stress" and health are related to health behaviour and life style.

CONCLUSIONS

The complex nature of the stress concept requires the actual use of constant definitions. Further, the individual or "subject" needs preventive medical support to strengthen his own capacity and self-care potential so that the balance between stressors and stress reactions, disease- and health-promoting factors is achieved. Thus, an integrative, resource- and capacity-orientated health care system is implemented. Moreover, letting balance be the target of intervention - and thereby reducing the negative impact of stressors/stress reactions on health - is a possible way of producing a modern, cost-effective, and partnership-like physician-patient relationship. Consequently, "stress" can be "healthy", a challenge, and thereby promote flexibility and transformation.