Experiencing stress in brief, isolated instances can produce positive bodily adaptations. Such short-term stress responses can yield advantages like an immediate surge of energy, a temporary enhancement of immune function, and a reduced sensitivity to pain.

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When an individual encounters a stressful situation, their body triggers several biological responses, including the stimulation of the adrenal glands. This activation leads to the secretion of hormones like cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Although these chemicals ready the body to handle the immediate threat, they can also elevate the risk of becoming sick.

Physiological Reactions to a Stressful Event

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Favorable Effects of Short Bursts of Stress

Enduring chronic or continuous stress results in a prolonged presence of cortisol in the body, which carries severe health consequences. Persistently high cortisol levels are linked to detrimental outcomes, such as a substantially weakened immune system (Glaser & Kiecolt-Glaser, 2005), and are consistently seen in individuals experiencing depression (Geoffroy, Hertzman, Li, & Power, 2013).

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