Text E 　　Mental stress can have potentially fatal consequences. Not only can too much stress pushus over the edge and make us act irrationally, but it can build up over a period of time andaffect our ability to resist illnesses. The key to understanding the problem of stress is to realizethat these days it rarely serves its original purpose – to prepare us to fight or flee from anattacker. In days gone by, stress levels rose in order to preserve our safety, before readjustingand returning to normal after the danger had passed. Nowadays, however, the danger is morelikely to come from pressures at work or school. We cannot solve problems like this easily andso the body may not return to its previous state for some time and may even remain at apermanently raised level of anxiety. 　　There are many ways of dealing with stress. One useful tip is to make a list of thosethings you have to do that are urgent. The sense of satisfaction you get when you tick off eachitem on your list helps you to return to your pre-stressed state. In a similar way, good qualitysleep enables you to start each day with a fresh approach, as does exercise because it clearsyour mind and enables you to approach a problem in a different way. In fact, just aboutanything that allows you to step back from your problems is likely to help. So, next time youfeel the tension rising at work, get up from your desk and open your eyes to somethingdifferent. Ten minutes outside in the fresh air might be all you need.
36. According to the passage, we become ill more easily when we _____.
(A) act irrationally
(B) are pushed too hard
(C) are under stress for a long time
(D) are unable to resist