Stress can be caused by a physical or emotional change, or a change in your environment that requires you to adjust or respond. Things that make you feel stressed are called “stressors.” Stressors can be minor hassles, major lifestyle changes, or a combination of both. Stress can damage your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

The relationship between sleep, stress and mild depressive illness is complex. Mild depression and stress may cause sleep problems and sleep problems may cause or contribute to mild depressive disorders and stress. Sleep problems, stress and mild depression may also share risk factors and biological features and the three conditions may respond to the same treatment strategies.