Question

1. Using any specific stressful experience as an example, identify and apply the three stages of Selye’s general adaptation syndrome, including how your body might respond at each stage.

Hint: Study Unit 10.6

2.

Despite our best intentions, stress can make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Identify and explain at least two different ways that stress can interfere with our efforts to stay healthy.

Hint: Study Unit 10.23

Answer 1

• ANSWER-Selye gave three stages in the General adaption syndrome-alarm stage,resistance stage and exhaustion stage.
• In the first stage,alarm stage,the body provides a burst of energy.When we face a stressor,the body responds to the distress signal which is sent to the hypothalamus with a burst of energy to deal with stressor.For example,if you are walking at night alone,and someone jumps from behind a wall,your hypothalamus will send the signal to the pituitary gland to release hormones called glucocorticoids.The adrenal glands will release cortisol and adrenaline to help the body deal with the stressor.Your heart rate would increase,breathing would become rapid,trembling,sweating,high blood pressure etc.
• In the resistance stage,the body responded to the stressor which jumped from behind the wall and will continue to maintain that alertness to help fight the stressor.In this stage the energy reserves are used until the stressor is resolved,so you will try to run and avoid the person,or try to hit the person with something which you find on the road to save your life.
• In the last stage,all your energy reserves would have been used and exhausted.The body's immune system weakens during this time.You would feel anxious and scared of maybe the person who might be still out their and you still feel in danger.You could become sick,as your immune system will be exhausted and unable to work properly.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation