This document discusses the key findings of an APA survey from 2007 on stress levels in America. The survey found that Americans routinely experience higher than healthy levels of stress, with one-third reporting extreme stress and nearly half feeling their stress has increased in the past five years. It also discusses the effects of stress on the body and coping mechanisms like meditation and relaxation techniques to help balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and reduce stress in a sustainable way. The document promotes using one's own sensitivity to select suitable relaxation tools without long term harm.