Question

Explain General Adaptation Syndrome.

Hint:

Chronic stress can lead to exhaustion and serious health issues. Regular relaxation and coping strategies can help prevent the negative effects of stress and support long-term well-being.

Answer 1

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a three-stage physiological response to stress, developed by Hans Selye. It describes how the body reacts to stress and attempts to return to a state of balance. The three stages are:
1. Alarm Reaction: This is the initial response to a stressor, where the body reacts to the threat by triggering the fight-or-flight response. Hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels. This prepares the body to deal with the immediate stressor.
2. Resistance: If the stressor persists, the body enters the resistance stage, where it attempts to adapt to the stress. The body's physiological responses stabilize, and it continues to function while trying to cope with the stress. If the stress is managed well, the body can continue to function normally for a while.
3. Exhaustion: If the stress continues for an extended period, the body's resources become depleted, and it can no longer maintain its adaptive responses. The body becomes vulnerable to illness, fatigue, and burnout. This stage can lead to serious health problems if the stress is not managed.