Stress response (GAS)

Definition

Stress response (GAS) in plain English

This describes the predictable three-stage path your body takes when something stresses you out over time. First is Alarm: your "fight-or-flight" system fires instantly (heart pounding, senses sharp) — like slamming the gas pedal when a car swerves at you. If the stress keeps going, you enter Resistance, where a hormone called cortisol stays elevated to keep you running hot and coping. But you can't idle at high RPM forever — eventually you hit Exhaustion, where your resources run dry and you're worn down and more prone to getting sick. The big idea: stress isn't just a feeling, it's a physical process that costs your body real fuel.

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