Understanding The Three Responses To Stress

Our body will respond to stress in two distinct ways. We can handle it for the short-term with "fight or flight" or let our basic survival instinct kick in and have the "general adaptation syndrome." The second response is for a long-term exposure to stress. The third is "emotional response." Emotional response is the way we see the threats we are facing.

The first response happens after a shock is received or a person thinks it is being threatened. Hormones are released to help us survive in the "flight or fight" response. The hormones help us to be ready for any battle or threat that comes our way. The hormones increase our heart rate and blood pressure, directs more sugar and oxygen to our muscles and diverts blood away from the skin. This action reduces blood loss if we are wounded and increases sweating to cool the muscles that are working overtime. Our brain focuses all of our attention to the potential threat. Scientists have discovered that this response also occurs if something unexpected happens as well. Have you ever heard a sonic boom and have your heart start racing and pounding? That is the "flight or fight" response.

The second response occurs when the body adapts to any threats. Its first response is to react to the threat. The next stage is the resistance stage. This stage continues as long as the body can continue the heightened stage of resistance. Once resistance is unable to be preserved, the body enters the exhaustion stage. Resistance declines and fatigue begins to set in. The body loses its will to fight and the body is exhausted. When this happens in the business world its called burnout. Resignation to the stresses of life can cause inertia and chronic fatigue problems. It is the body's way to cope with stress that continues day after day. Eventually if our motivation is no longer as strong, we become resigned to daily stressors and we tire of what we are doing.

Our third response deals with the way we think and the way our minds respond to stress. Some stress can be continued over time such as stress from work overload, growing deadlines, and problems with the boss and co-workers. Work environments that are not pleasant, high expectations from management, and constant deadlines make us work hard to handle them and cause unhappiness. Remember, the definition of stress is something that is sensed to be a demand that is beyond our personal and social resources.

People have two decisions to make when faced with stress. They must feel threatened by the situation they face, and they must doubt their abilities to handle the perceived threat. These threats are rarely life threatening. They may occur when our values are challenged, our social status is threatened, or we are concerned about other people's opinions of us. It is important that we can change our interpretation of stressful situations so we can reduce the appearance of threat. That will reduce our stress response and allow the body time to recover from each stressful situation.

Next article: Tips For Learning How To Manage Stress More Effectively

Email this page to a friend

Featured Stress Management Product:

More Articles About Stress Management ...

Some Medications Can Cause Stress
Some of us may require medications to relieve stress. However, scientists have recently discovered that some medications can actually cause or exacerbate stress. Effexor XR is prescribed to patients...

Managing Stress - Common Questions
How damaging can long-term stress can be? First of all, constant stress can send your mind and body into a downward spiral. Having continual worries or pressures to deal with strains your mind, but the...

Reduce Stress Through A Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy diet and physical exercise is vital to any stress reducing program. Let's take a look at the effect of a healthy diet on stress. By eating foods that are nutritious and yet low in fat and sugar...

The Back, Foot, And Calf Massaging Lounge Chair With Ottoman Unlike typical massage chairs for the home that call attention to themselves as massage chairs, this model has the look and feel of the most comfortable lounge chair, and it incorporates advanced adaptive massage mechanisms that provide a superior level of customized massage comfort.

For more information about stress management, see our Health resources section, view our Health Blog containing health articles, news, updates and health tips, or go to more articles about Stress Relief Tips.

***

***

Search for more information on "stress relief tips" below:

You are here: Home » stress-management » Understanding The Three Responses To Stress