Physiology of Stress
Ever wondered why your heart pounds before a big presentation? That's your body's stress response kicking in, and it happens in three predictable stages according to Selye's research from 1936.
The alarm reaction is your body's immediate response to stress. Your hypothalamus activates your sympathetic nervous system, which tells your adrenal glands to pump out adrenaline and noradrenaline. This prepares you for fight or flight - basically getting you ready to either face the threat or run away from it.
If the stress continues, you enter the resistance stage. Your body tries to adapt and keep fighting the stressor, but this comes at a cost. Stress hormones flood your system at harmful levels, eventually damaging your heart and blood vessels.
Quick Tip: The resistance stage is why chronic stress (like ongoing family problems or school pressure) is more dangerous than short bursts of stress.
Finally, there's the exhaustion stage where your body simply can't cope anymore. Your resources are drained, your adrenal glands stop working properly, and you become vulnerable to serious health problems like depression and heart disease.











