At times, a small surge of stress can be a positive thing. It can help you do well under pressure, be on time, or meet a deadline. It can alert you to a problem you need to handle. It can motivate you toward your goals. It can push you to study, plan, and prepare.

But too much stress — or stress you can’t manage — keeps you from doing and feeling your best. It can wear you down, drain your energy, and make it harder to get things done. Too much stress can lead you to feel cranky, annoyed, or scattered.

You can’t avoid stress. But you can make it a goal to keep everyday stress at low levels.