This narrative review aimed to outline the conceptual evolution of stress, covering theoretical and methodological aspects of the three main areas of study, defined here as the response-based perspective, the stimulus-based perspective and the cognitive perspective. In addition, we sought to present a proposal for a conceptualization of stress according to the contemporary viewpoint of studies and the empirical evidences about the phenomenon, aiming to foster debate and encourage the production of research designs that consider issues studied in health psychology and interface areas. Thus, it seeks to highlight the historical development of the theory of stress, one of the most common forms of study of the health-illness process and of human capacity for adaptation in researches of psychology and health.