General Adaptation Syndrome

“General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)” is a term used to describe the three stages we go through when we are under stress. Stress has become an unwelcome companion for many of us in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) explains our body’s remarkable ability to cope with life’s curveballs.

Definition of GAS at APA

Hans Selye, a brilliant researcher and a medical doctor, introduced the theory. GAS is not just a fancy term—it’s a roadmap for understanding how our bodies react to stress. Imagine it as your body’s personalized GPS, guiding you through the twists and turns of life’s challenges.

Three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome

1. Alarm Phase: Sirens Blaring
   When stress hits, your body kicks into high gear. The body’s “fight or flight” mode prepares you for the unexpected. Imagine the adrenaline surge before a big presentation or the sharp focus when you narrowly avoid a traffic collision.
   
2. Resistance Phase: Soldiering On
   After the initial shock, your body shifts into the resistance phase. Your body recruits an army to cope with the ongoing stress. Hormones and systems work together, adapting and managing the strain. Think of it as your body’s way of saying, “I’ve got this.”
   
3. Exhaustion Phase: Running on Empty
   But, much like a superhero with a limited power source, your body can’t keep up the intensity forever. If stress persists, you enter the exhaustion phase. It’s when your body’s coping mechanisms wear thin, and you start feeling the toll. Imagine a car running on fumes—it might sputter and stall.

GAS is not a villain; it’s a survival strategy. Your body deploys an arsenal of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, bolstering your defences. Picture them as your body’s superheroes, swooping in to save the day when stress comes knocking.

While GAS is a natural response, you’re not powerless. You are the commander-in-chief of your body’s forces. Incorporating stress-busting activities like exercise, mindfulness, and a good laugh can be your strategy sessions – keeping your troops in top shape.