A psychological theory developed by Stephen Hobfall that explains stress and adaptation through the lens of personal resource management. Resources are all significant objects, states, personal qualities and energies that help to overcome difficulties and stressful situations. The main postulate of the theory is that people strive to preserve existing resources, prevent their loss and accumulate new ones, since the loss of resources is more painful and stressful than the acquisition. Effective resource management promotes psychological resilience and well-being; chronic loss of resources – increased stress and the risk of emotional burnout. In health psychology, the theory of resource conservation is used to understand the mechanisms of coping with stress and preventing psychosomatic diseases by supporting and restoring the psychological, social and physical resources of the individual.