Stress is a survival response that generates the fight or flight response to a real or perceived threat.
Your body is designed to survive, and so your body protects itself by preparing to face or run from the perceived threat. The physical response to stress helps your body handle the threat by increasing the heart rate, pupils dilating to see better in the dark, the breath becomes faster to increase oxygen intake, your blood vessels redirect the blood flow away from the non-essential organs such as digestive system and direct more blood flow to your muscles to prepare you for physical activity.
In the moment, our bodies adapt to handle stress and this is part of our human survival response. We are also designed to handle short-term acute stress well. Acute stress is often caused by short-term life stressors, such as:
Work deadlines
Argument with a loved one
An exam or test
