75% of people surveyed for the American Psychological Association’s 2011 "Stress in America" report said that money was a significant source of stress for them. Money, work, and the economy continue to be the most cited causes of stress for Americans.

The numbers were pretty close, but the American Psychological Association’s "Stress in America" survey finds that Easterners report slightly higher levels of stress.

East Coast residents' answers averaged 5.4 on a scale where 1 is little or no stress and 10 is a great deal of stress. That's a little more than Americans in other regions (5.2 in the Midwest, 5.0 in the South, and 5.1 in the West).

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, there is no proof that stress causes infertility -- although struggling with infertility is stressful for many couples. In a few women, having too much stress can delay when they release an egg, or cause the egg not to be released at all.

Cuddling your pet -- or snuggling with your baby or sweetie -- can increase your level of oxytocin, a beneficial hormone. Oxytocin lowers the stress hormones in your body, reduces your blood pressure, and improves your mood.

Women are more likely to "tend and befriend" in times of stress. They take care of those closest to them and draw support from friends and family. Men are more likely to have the "fight or flight" response and escape into a relaxing activity or distraction.

Anger and hostility. When you feel angry or hostile, your body releases stress hormones into your blood, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to temporarily rise.

There have been many studies, but, according to the American Cancer Society, all that can be said for now is that a definite link between stress and cancer risk has not yet been found.

The American Heart Association recommends practicing saying something positive to yourself every day to reduce the overall stress in your life. Good statements to start with are "I can get help if I need it," "We can work this out," and "I won’t let this problem get me down." Breaking down a big task into smaller, more manageable steps also helps.

But stress can cause forgetfulness, as well as headaches, feeling short-tempered, backaches, and lack of energy. Stretching, massage, and spending time on something you enjoy are all good ways to reduce stress, along with talking with a friend or a counselor.

According to the American Psychological Association, women generally report higher levels of stress than men do. In a 2011 study, women reported an average stress level of 5.4 and men averaged 4.8 (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being high.) Women are twice as vulnerable as men to many stress-related mental disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Daily exercise helps protect you from many of the harmful effects of stress.

Long-term, or chronic, stress affects our physical and psychological health, and can cause anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, and a weakened immune system. It can also be a factor in heart disease and depression. Acute stress, on the other hand, is short-term: the stress you feel when your car breaks down, for example. 

Acute stress can also be fun, like riding a roller coaster or skiing. Chronic stress is more damaging.

In a recent survey, 48% of people said they listened to music to reduce their stress level, 39% chose spending time with friends or family, and 34% chose napping. Women also tend to reach out to close friends and family members for support.

Many smokers use smoking as a way to relieve stress. The American Cancer Society recommends physical activity and spiritual exercises, including prayer and meditation, to help keep smokers on a successful journey toward quitting.

Long-term, or chronic, stress can cause erectile dysfunction (impotence) and loss of libido. It can also cause loss of sleep and overeating. 

Ulcers are not caused by stress, but rather by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. But stress can aggravate an ulcer if you have one.

Just taking three to five deep breaths can help. Counting to 10 before you speak, walking away from the stressful situation and saying you’ll handle it later, and going for a walk are other emergency stress-stoppers recommended by the American Heart Association.

Stress itself does not directly cause weight gain, but being stressed can cause an increase in appetite, which leads to overeating and weight gain. Stress also can disrupt routines such as eating and sleeping, which can contribute to weight problems.