What is Stress?

People have very different ideas with respect to their definition of stress. Probably the most common is, “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” Another popular definition of stress is, “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.”

If Life Were Easy They Would Have Asked For Volunteers

Stress is ubiquitous and follows us everywhere. Since there is simply no avoiding it, the task for mental health professionals has become to further our understanding to improve management in our patients and in ourselves.

LEARN MORE

To Begin to Manage Your Stress You Must First Identify Your Personal Triggers

Start by taking one of our scientifically validated, AIS certified stress assessments for just $19.95. These tests have been developed to identify your personal stressors and what you can do to control your stress so it doesn’t control you.

Rosch Profiler

In just 15 minutes, this will show you how well you are coping in ten key areas of your life.

The evaluation will also provide a customized report with advice on how you could best manage your stress, plus two valuable free gifts: The Stress Management Journal and the audio A Day Away from Stress.

Take the RSP

To master stress, you first need to understand how stress is affecting you physically, emotionally, and socially. The internationally recognized and AIS Certified Stress Mastery Questionnaire (SMQ) provides the information you need to become more aware of not only what to change but how.

Take the SMQ today. It’s easy and quick to take. You will receive your personal 19-page Stress Mastery Report and a complimentary copy of the Stress Mastery Guide and Workbook that will help you understand each of the 11 stress scales and discover new ways to not just reduce but master stress.

Take the SMQ

Introduction to Stress for Teens

Our newest AIS certified FREE course

Introduction to Stress for Teens is a free course by The American Institute of Stress to help teenagers understand the stress response and manage every day stressors. In this short course you will learn to understand stress, keep your cool and cope with pressure.

Take the Course NOW

Join the American Institute of Stress

Obtaining credentials from The American Institute of Stress is a designation that sets members apart as stress experts and reflects their commitment to the advancement of innovative and scientifically based stress management protocols.

The AIS Seal and credentials inform the public that the certificate holder commands advanced knowledge of the latest stress research and stress management techniques.

For physicians and other healthcare practitioners it designates your practice as an advanced treatment center for stress related illnesses.

BECOME A MEMBER

Mismatched: Your Brain Under Stress

This 6-part documentary features some of the world’s leading experts on stress. Their collective experience stretches from the first experiments done on the mind/body connection to the latest research into unravelling the unconscious mind. As entertaining as it is informative, Mismatched teaches us about what stress is and how to master it.

LEARN MORE

Combat Stress Magazine

Free magazine for Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders. Edited by Col (Ret) Kathy T. Platoni, PsyD.

Read Now

Contentment Magazine

Free magazine for everyone. Subscribe to learn about stress and how to manage it in this evidence-based publication.

Read Now

Finding Contentment Podcast

Finding Contentment focuses on stress and stress-related issues and features interviews with healthcare practitioners and stress experts.

Subscribe today on your favorite podcast app, so you don’t miss any episodes.

Listen Now

Latest Blog Posts

Stress-related news curated by AIS and published weekly

READ MORE

Shop Our Gift Packs

We assembled a collection of 10 packs of qualified and fun stress management gear. In addition to your own use, these make the perfect gifts for your stressed family members and friends. They will definitely thank you for these useful and thoughtful gift packs.

My Stress Tools
The Gift of Relaxation
Relaxation-In-A-Box
Overcoming Stress Pack
Sleep-In-A-Box
The Anxiety & Emotional Eating Attack Pack
Stress Attack Pack
The Chillax Pack
Mindfulness Meditation Pack
The Unhealthy Behaviors Attack Pack

SHOP NOW

Online Courses

Learn How to Control Your Reactivity to Stress with our Favorite Certified Online Courses.

stress to joy

Learn to channel your stress for energy

Decrease stress and boost your happiness in just 15 – 20 minutes a day for 21 days with a comprehensive 21 module, online educational program in the practice of stress management.

Free Evidence-based Workforce Resilience and Well-being Course

In this course you will learn behaviors, coping strategies and mindsets that lead to increased resilience against the negative impacts of stress.

nuuaria square

Spend the time to learn the best stress reliever there is to enjoy a lifetime of benefits.

An American Institute of Stress Certified Course in Meditation and More

Thinking is the cause. Behavior is only the symptom. Behavior change, therefore, is only symptom treatment. We teach you how to think differently to master your stress. This course consists of 13 Modules and 50+ Lessons including PDF lesson downloads and twice monthly group coaching calls. This curriculum includes practical applications in neuroplasticity, evidence-based meditation (that anyone can do!), nutrition, and more.

How can you help?

Giving is not just about donating, it’s about making a difference. Won’t you please donate and help us continue to make a difference?

Our mission is to improve the mental and physical health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence of stress management in education, research, clinical care, home life and the workplace. We educate and credential health care professionals and offer products and educational tools for everyone.

Please help us carry out our mission with a donation. The Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Your tax deductible gift allows us to continue helping you along with Service Members, first responders and civilians navigate stressful situations to have a happier, more rewarding life. Every dollar is greatly appreciated.

MAKE A DONATION

The Brain Electric

Watch this free documentary as it takes us across America and the United Kingdom to investigate how Alpha-Stim brain tech is being used by leading researchers and clinicians to normalize your brain without drugs.

WATCH NOW

The Body Electric

Should we accept that medical treatments have side effects? Evidence suggests that the appropriate use of electroceuticals allows the body to simply take what it needs – creating a powerful effect without side effects. Watch this free documentary now.

WATCH NOW