Stress comes in many forms

I came across an article today in the Chicago Tribune that I found some truth in. The article Fans seek soft landing off click playoff slope emphasizes on the common sports fan. The article focused on baseball , and the current playoffs. With Chicago having had two teams in the playoffs, the article grabbed my attention. Writer John Kass, explains how Americans want games that don't come down to the 9th inning, 3rd period, or end of the 2nd half. They want to know the outcome of something before it actually ends. If a team is up by a landslide, then you can judge that they will probably win. That takes off a lot of stress and anticipation. People want to enjoy a game, but with such intense fans nowadays, people cannot seem to watch without the worry of winning. People become so attached to these teams, that they get themselves sick over a game. I can relate being a fan myself, but I have to think that those buzzer beater shots, and last inning home runs make the sport all the more worthwhile. Though, I have to admit, that after those games, I am usually worn out and ready for bed due to the fact that I have probably jumped, screamed, and maybe even prayed for the past 2-3 hours that my team come out ahead.
This article may focus on sports fans, but I think this type of human behavior can relate to all types of people. It goes to show the stress everyday people put on themselves. What is stress and what causes it? It may not be over a baseball game, but maybe a term paper or a performance. People have the overarching desire to want to do well, and the pain felt in not reaching that success causes a great deal of anxiety.
People also feel the common need to be a part of something whether it be a team, a group of friends, or even a country. Everyone wants to feel as if they belong somwhere. At the time of the Puritans, the young girls joined together to save themselves from accusations. During the Great Depression, the poor came together, in order to feel less alone. No one wants to go through something by themselves. It is easier to feel hurt when you know others are going through the same thing. So, when the Cubs got swept it was less difficult for me knowing that I wasn't the only one upset, half the city was too.