What are the stages of stress?

This is usually explained through three main stages. Think of it as your body's response system.

First is the Alarm stage. This is your initial shock or ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction. Your heart pounds and you get that rush of energy.

Next comes the Resistance stage. Here, your body tries to adapt and manage the continuing stress. It works hard to keep things stable.

Finally, if the stress just doesn't go away, you hit the Exhaustion stage. Your body’s resources are depleted. This is what leads to burnout and other health issues. It's quite a logical progression.

According to Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS):1. Alarm stage (fight-or-flight). 2. Resistance stage (body tries to adapt). 3. Exhaustion stage (body breaks down if stress continues).

I like to describe stress in everyday terms: - Stage 1: You hear bad news, heart races. - Stage 2: You push through workload, fueled by adrenaline. - Stage 3: Weeks later, you feel burnout, headaches, and anxiety. That’s exhaustion.

Psychologists also talk about: - Acute stress (short term) - Chronic stress (long term) Each has different physiological stages and effects.

In Ayurveda, stress stages are seen differently. First imbalance (doshas disturbed), then body reaction, then disease. Ancient wisdom overlaps with modern science.

For students, stages look like: 1. Exam announced → panic. 2. Studying phase → adapting. 3. After exam pressure → exhaustion or relief. So yes, the GAS model applies in daily life.