Enduring stress hasphysicalandmentaleffects on the body.
Alarm Reaction Stage
The alarm reaction stage of general adaptation syndrome is the bodys initial response to stress.
The sympathetic nervous system is activated by the sudden release of hormones.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
You may better know this stage as the fight-or-flight response.
You are not aware that this system is working because it automatically responds to stimuli.
When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it stimulates theadrenal glands.
The glands, in turn, trigger the release of certain hormones, includingadrenalineandnoradrenaline.
The hormone release causes physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
This means it will continue to secrete the stress hormones and your blood pressure will stay high.
Exhaustion Stage
Prolonged orchronic stressleads to the last stage of general adaptation syndromeexhaustion.
Causes
Any kind of stressorboth unpleasant and rewarding, dangerous or thrillingcan trigger general adaptation syndrome.
It can also be triggered by situations where the stressor is considered positive or pleasant (eustress).
What seems like a threat to one person might be perceived as a positive challenge by someone else.
Their stress response to the same stimulus, therefore, will be different.
Others might enjoy the fear they feel while watching a scary movie.
Rather, it’s the process your body goes through automatically when it experiences stress.
Managing Stress
Stress mitigation techniques can help you cope with GAS.
It is the body’s way of gearing up for whatever life throws your way and building resilience.
It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
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