Learn About This Common Occurrence
Acute stress is what you feel in the face of an immediate threat.
It’s among the most common types of stress, experienced by most people a few times each day.
These threats might be real or imagined and come in physical, emotional, and psychological forms.
Acute stress isn’t serious, but it can build up. Here’s how to manage it.Annie Engel/Cultura/Getty Images
What Happens in Acute Stress?
During an acute stress response, theautonomic nervous systemis activated.
Blood is shunted from the extremities to the big muscles, preparing the body to fight or run away.
This is also known as thefight-or-flight response.
Stress and the Body
During an acute stress response, theautonomic nervous systemis activated.
Simple relaxation techniques can help.
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