General Adaptation Syndrome

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a three-stage response to stress identified by Hans Selye. The first stage, alarm, occurs when we first encounter stress, triggering a fight-or-flight reaction. The second stage, resistance, follows as our body adapts to the stressor, trying to maintain balance. If the stress continues without relief, the third stage, exhaustion, can occur, leading to fatigue, burnout, or health issues. GAS helps us understand how chronic stress affects our bodies and emphasizes the importance of managing stress for overall well-being.