Stress

The Stress Bar is the Character's Stress Level in Darkest Dungeon. In comparison to the Health Bar however, this goes up and once full gives Characters an Affliction which can sometimes be positive, but is most often negative. In addition to their normal effect, positive afflictions give minus stress to the entire party when received, while negative afflictions give additional stress to the rest of the party.

Actions that build up stress

 * Walking through a dungeon with low torch light.
 * Not eating enough food.
 * Getting hit by a trap.
 * Getting hit by special enemy combat skills.
 * Interacting with things related to negative quirks possesed.
 * Removal of obstacles without a shovel.
 * Interacting with various objects.
 * A critical strike affecting you or, less often, another party member.
 * Having a party member that is currently under the effect of a negative affliction.
 * Retreating from a dungeon.

Actions that relieve stress

 * Landing a critical hit or being close to a party memeber landing a critical hit.
 * Having a party memeber that is currently under the effect of a positive affliction.
 * Interacting with things related to positive quirks possesed.
 * Using certain combat skills.
 * Using certain camping skills.
 * Interacting with various objects.
 * Spending time at various activities in the Tavern or Abbey.
 * Each activity has different side-effects and can result in different Quirks.

Experiment to find the best for each hero, depending on their Quirks.