Which term describes the body's physiological short-term and long-term reaction to stress?

• A. Coping strategies
• B. Physiological
• C. General Adaptation System
• D. Wellness

Answer: (C)

When the body faces stress, it responds through a predictable sequence that prepares you to deal with the challenge. This is described by General Adaptation Syndrome, which captures both the immediate and longer-lasting physiological changes. It starts with the alarm reaction, where the fight-or-flight response kicks in and hormones like adrenaline and cortisol raise heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability. If the stress persists, the body moves into the resistance stage, trying to cope by using resources more efficiently and maintaining higher activity levels. If the stress continues for a long time, the exhaustion stage may occur, when resources run low and vulnerability to illness increases. This term specifically describes the body's overall physiological response across short-term and long-term periods. Coping strategies refer to how you manage stress, physiology is just a descriptor, and wellness is your overall health state, not the body’s response pattern.