[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.