Define stress in the context of organizational behavior.

In the context of organizational behavior, stress is defined as a physical and emotional response to environmental demands that exceed an individual's coping ability. This definition recognizes that stress arises when external pressures, such as workload, deadlines, or interpersonal conflicts, surpass a person’s resources or resilience.

Understanding stress in this way highlights its dual nature—both physical and emotional—indicating that it can manifest through physiological reactions (like increased heart rate) as well as emotional responses (such as anxiety or frustration). This response can lead to a range of outcomes, including burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and reduced productivity, making it a critical factor for both individual and organizational well-being.

The other options do not accurately capture this definition. A feeling of excitement and motivation pertains more to positive engagement at work and doesn't represent the challenges posed by stress. A state of relaxation achieved during work hours denotes a healthy work environment rather than stress. Lastly, an assessment of employee performance levels focuses on evaluating output and effectiveness, which is unrelated to the concept of stress. Thus, understanding stress as a response to overwhelming demands allows organizations to identify ways to manage it effectively, ultimately supporting employee health and performance.