What is it?
A a normal human reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges, your body produces physical and mental responses.
These responses help your body adjust to new situations. Also can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. For example, if you have an important test coming up, a response might help your body work harder and stay awake longer. But stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation.
What happens to the body?
The body’s autonomic nervous system controls your heart rate, breathing, vision changes and more. Its built-in response, the “fight-or-flight response,” helps the body face stressful situations.
When a person has long-term (chronic) stress, continued activation of the stress response causes wear and tear on the body. Physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms develop.
These responses help your body adjust to new situations. Also can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. For example, if you have an important test coming up, a response might help your body work harder and stay awake longer. But stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation.
What happens to the body?
The body’s autonomic nervous system controls your heart rate, breathing, vision changes and more. Its built-in response, the “fight-or-flight response,” helps the body face stressful situations.
