General Adaptation Syndrome
Definition
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a three-stage process that describes physiological changes the body goes through when under stress. The stages include alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.
Analogy
GAS can be compared to running a marathon. At first (alarm stage), you feel an adrenaline rush helping you start strong. As you keep going (resistance stage), your body adapts and finds ways to maintain energy levels despite fatigue. But if you push too hard without rest (exhaustion stage), your performance will decline dramatically and may lead to injury or illness.
Related terms
Stressor: Any physical or psychological event or condition that produces physical and emotional reactions.
Homeostasis: The tendency toward maintaining balance within biological systems.
Chronic Stress: Long-term stress resulting from persistent situations or issues; this can lead to long-term health problems.
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