What is a fight or flight response? How does it relate to stress?
The fight or flight response refers to our body’s natural ability to physically fight or run away when we encounter dangerous situations. In such situations, the body releases large amounts of hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which gives the body a great burst of energy and strength. Since the majority of us no longer are faced with dangerous situations on a day-to-day basis, the fight or flight response now comes into play in less appropriate situations, like when we are stressed out at work. Usually, when the perceived danger has passed, our body goes back to a normal (relaxation) mode. However, since many of us deal with chronic stress, this does not always happen, which instead causes damage to the body.
