Nor did a mother's own stress levels.

ECONOMIST: Neuroscience and social deprivation

It found differences in stress levels across the UK. Wales and Scotland were found to have Britain's happiest communities with the lowest stress levels, while workers in Wales enjoyed their jobs more than those living in any other region.

BBC: Mother and baby

He said what was important was that "individuals involved in this side of business understand the levels of stress and confusion that's going on for those on schemes like these".

BBC: UK

"Monitoring cardiorespiratory health and stress levels are an important yet neglected aspect of understanding one's health and wellness progression which is in line with the Quantified Self movement" said Juliana Chua, Principal of Zensorium's Business Innovation Group.

ENGADGET: Zensorium launches Tink�� cardiorespiratory health and stress monitor for iOS devices (video)

If you look at a population and say, OK, here are people who have a high proportion of unaccompanied men, very high stress levels because of the immigration experience, some - there's some evidence of untreated STDs being fairly high.

NPR: HIV Concerns for Many Mississippi Latinos

But given heightened stress levels among offenders who are home more than before, it's no wonder the state hot line has seen a greater than 20 percent uptick in calls -- the bulk coming from the southern part of the state closest to the Gulf.

CNN: In Gulf oil disaster, cameras can't capture the human toll

Increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, hurt the body's immune system.

CNN: Family counters flesh-eating bacteria with faith

As the world's first portable media player to integrate wellness management tools, such as stress and body fat levels and customized workout guides, MyFit helps users achieve wellness while enjoying their favorite music tracks.

ENGADGET: Samsung announces two PMPs, one for fitness gurus, one made of glass

What's clear for now, he emphasizes, is that people who suffer from high stress levels can foster better and more creative problem-solving simply by taking a few moments to focus on something that's personally important to them.

CNN: Boost your capacity to cope