Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and while it often carries a negative connotation, it is actually a fundamental survival mechanism. When faced with a perceived threat, whether physical or emotional, the body instinctively reacts to protect itself. This automatic response is commonly known as the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. While it serves an essential function in dangerous situations, chronic activation of this response due to daily stressors can have significant consequences for mental and physical health.

The body’s response to stress is rooted in human evolution. When our ancestors encountered a predator, their nervous systems immediately prepared them to either confront the threat (fight), escape to safety (flight), or become still and unnoticed (freeze). While modern-day stressors may not include wild animals, our nervous system reacts similarly to job pressures, financial worries, or social conflicts.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, stress is the body's response to change, activating a physiological reaction that helps us adapt and protect ourselves. While short-term stress can be beneficial, prolonged exposure can lead to an overactive stress response, negatively impacting overall well-being.

The Three Stress Responses: Fight, Flight, and Freeze

1. Fight

The fight response prepares the body for direct action. When triggered, the nervous system releases adrenaline, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. While this reaction once helped early humans fend off predators, today it manifests as irritability, frustration, or aggression.

For instance, the employee who has experienced too much workload may work extremely long hours just to succeed. In short term, the action may produce good results but mostly ends in burnout, anxiety, and physical illness, for example, tension headache or digestion problems.

2. Fight

The flight response triggers an intense need to remove oneself from a stressful situation. Just as our ancestors would flee from danger, modern individuals may avoid conflict, quit jobs impulsively, or detach from relationships when overwhelmed.

Flight mode is linked with restlessness and anxiety. Individuals may have a sense of needing to get up and go-pacing, changing environments constantly, or avoiding tasks that seem too overwhelming. Someone with a flight response might have the desire to change jobs constantly, relocate constantly, or become reclusive in order to avoid perceived dangers.

3. Freeze

The freeze response occurs when the nervous system perceives a threat as too overwhelming to fight or flee. Rather than taking action, individuals shut down, feeling numb, disconnected, or paralyzed by fear.

Unlike fight or flight, which involve heightened activation, freeze mode slows down physiological functions. A person experiencing freeze mode may feel physically unable to move, struggle to make decisions, or find themselves dissociating from their emotions. This can manifest in situations such as public speaking anxiety, where someone might "blank out" or feel stuck in the moment.

What Happens in the Body During A Stressful Event?

When faced with a stressor, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activates, triggering physiological changes, including:

• Increased heart rate and breathing: The body pumps more oxygen to muscles and the brain in case action is needed.
• Muscle tension: The body prepares for movement, sometimes causing trembling or stiffness.
• Dilated pupils: Vision sharpens to detect potential threats.
• Dry mouth: Saliva production decreases as the body redirects energy to essential functions.
• Changes in skin tone: Blood flow is directed to vital organs, sometimes making the skin appear pale or flushed.

For those experiencing the freeze response, the body undergoes a different reaction, often reducing heart rate and causing physical immobility rather than heightened activation.

Strategies for Coping and Managing the Stress Response

While the stress response is necessary for survival, frequent activation due to daily stressors can take a toll on health. Recognizing your default response—whether fight, flight, or freeze—can help in developing effective coping mechanisms.

1. Moving to a Safe Space

If possible, changing your environment can help signal to your brain that the threat has passed. Stepping outside for fresh air, finding a quiet place, or distancing yourself from overwhelming stimuli can help regulate emotions.

2. Practicing Controlled Breathing

Deep, slow breathing can be used to counteract the stress response by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or the 4-7-8 method (inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, exhale for eight) can be particularly effective in calming the body.

3. Engaging in Physical Activity

This helps release pent-up energy and aids in the endorphin cascade, natural boosters for our mood.

4. Seeking Social Support

Relieving oneself from stress can come in many ways, but sharing it with trusted friends, a family member, or a good therapist will sure give that psychological boost of hope. Social support is an especially effective way of cushioning people against the stressors that they are subjected to in chronic forms.

When to Seek Professional Help

While occasional stress is normal, chronic activation of the fight, flight, or freeze response can indicate underlying mental health concerns, such as anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If stress is affecting daily life—leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, or persistent feelings of fear—it may be time to consult a mental health professional.

Bob Harris, the renowned BBC Radio 2 host, has informed his listeners of being hospitalized again for prostate cancer treatment.

Posting on social media platform Instagram, Harris said he is receiving treatment for an issue that has developed over the past few weeks.

“As many of you know, I suffer from prostate cancer, and every now and again I experience setbacks that need attention. Now is one of these moments,” he wrote, along with a picture of himself lying in a hospital bed while smiling for the camera.

Harris noted that he’s taking short break away from his programs. However, he confirmed that this week’s Country Show is scheduled as planned, and his Sounds of the 70’s episode on 12th April will feature an 80th birthday celebration special he recorded before attending the C2C Festival with Zoe Ball.

Noting that he can’t state the day of his return as the host, he said: “I know that I will come back… and come back stronger”.

“I hate missing programs and I am keen to get back into the studio as soon as I can”.

Calling himself “blessed” for the support he received from friends and family and listeners of his show, Harris said that during his absence, Darius Rucker will guest on Country, while Shaun Keaveny will cover Sounds of the 70’s for a few weeks.

"I am so blessed to have the love of my family and the support of my friends who have rallied round me at what has proved to be an unexpectedly testing time,” Harris said.

Prostate Cancer: The UK’s Most Common Male Cancer

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 cases diagnosed every year. Despite this, there is currently no national screening program because of concerns over the accuracy of PSA tests.

In November 2025, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and also called for a targeted screening.

Also read: Joe Biden Is Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer: All That You Need To Know

In an interview with Times, he said, "You always hope for the best. You have a high PSA score - that is probably nothing. You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, ‘Ah, that’s probably OK.’ But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer. You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it.’"

The former PM, said that he had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for the screening that looks for proteins associated with the form of the disease. His result was high, and a biopsy after that revealed his cancer.

In October 2024, six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer. His prostate cancer had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hips, ribs and spine.

A woman’s health check-up is not about being paranoid. It's about refusing to treat your body as an afterthought.

You may not be able to control every diagnosis you ever get. But you can control how late you meet it. That's what preventive care is all about. Early detection through these screenings helps manage hormonal changes, cancer risks, and metabolic health.

From routine blood tests to specialized screenings, Dr. Supriya Bali, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, spoke to HealthandMe on specific tests crucial for women, right from their 20s

In Your 20s: Laying A Strong Foundation

Your 20s are all about establishing healthy habits that will carry you through life. Even if you feel great, this is a crucial time to get in the habit of seeing your doctor regularly.

Recommended screening includes:

• Blood pressure check – Every 1-2 years if normal; more often if elevated
• Pap smear – Start at age 21 (or by age 25 if you’ve never been sexually active); every three years if results are normal
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening – Annually for sexually active women under 25
• HPV vaccine – If not already completed by 26
• Skin check – Monitor moles and sun damage, especially if you tan easily
• Mental health screening – Don’t ignore stress, anxiety, or depression

In Your 30s: Reproductive And Preventive Health In Focus

As the body begins to undergo subtle changes in the 30s, regular screenings, hormonal health checks, and lifestyle adjustments are increasingly important.

Recommended screenings in 30s include:

• Pap + HPV co-test – Every 5 years starting at 30 (or Pap every 3 years)
• STI screening – Based on risk factors and symptoms
• Blood pressure and cholesterol check – Especially if you have a family history
• Blood sugar test – Especially if you’re planning a pregnancy or have had gestational diabetes
• Breast exam – Regular self-monitoring and breast ultrasound if you suspect a lump.
• Mental health and sleep – Ongoing check-ins with your doctor
• Fertility discussions – If you're planning or delaying pregnancy

Also read: 'Husband Stitch': A Medical Necessity Or Just A Tool To Objectify Women's Bodies?

In Your 40s: Monitoring Long-Term Risk Factors

This is a time when early signs of chronic conditions may start to show up, especially if there’s a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.

You should get these screenings at certain times:

• Mammography screening: Begin at 40 years of age (earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer).
• Pap smear & HPV test: Pap and HPV every 5 years or Pap alone every 3 years.
• Cholesterol & Blood Pressure Testing: Every 1-2 years.
• Blood glucose test (diabetes screening): especially if you're overweight or at risk for diabetes.
• Thyroid function testing is optional—especially if you feel tired, cold, or have been losing weight or have changes in your bowel habits.
• Weight discussions regarding healthy nutrition and active lifestyle—assist with maintaining a healthy weight.
• Perimenopause begins in your 40's; if you experience mood swings or changes in sleep, hot flashes, or irregular cycles, please speak with your doctor.

Also read: What Your Mammogram Says About Your Heart?

In Your 50’s: Maintain Strength, Stay Ahead of Aging

Maintaining your strength, the ability to prevent illness/disease from affecting you, and remaining proactive against the challenges that arise due to aging will be your focus at this stage.

Every individual will have their own unique series of recommended screenings; however, everyone will benefit from some type of recommended screening.

Some commonly recommended screenings include:

• Mammogram screening program; every 1-2 years.
• Colorectal cancer screening, beginning at age 45 through age 75.
• Bone density scan-if at high risk.
• Hearing/Vision checks annually or as required (on an as-needed basis).
• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening every year.
• Lung cancer screening among those with a history of smoking.
• Vaccines--including shingles, pneumonia, flu, and COVID-19 booster.
• Cognitive screening - to discover memory concerns, changes in mental sharpness, or cognitive function.

Vapes were marketed as a safer option than cigarettes, but research now shows they carry serious health risks -- from lung damage to meningitis to cancer.

Vaping has been a serious concern in the United States, with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2025 filing a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuit accused the companies of fueling a youth vaping crisis, alleging that these companies that manufacture vapes, especially with flavors, have misled consumers about the safety of their products while deliberately targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

Now, a new study, published in JAMA Network Open, has for the first time assessed trends in young children's nicotine exposures across all types of products.

Shockingly, electronic cigarette-related incidents increased 243 percent over the past eight years in young children, especially among those under five years of age, said researchers from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

In contrast, tobacco exposures from conventional products such as cigarettes decreased by 43 percent.

Unlike cigarettes, these devices are often ready to use, brightly colored, require little effort to activate, and appear more like toys than a harmful product.

"This significant spike in children breathing in these substances tells us the risk has changed: It's no longer just about a toddler swallowing something they found on the floor," said lead author Perry Rosen, who conducted the research at the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

"Many recent cases involve children actively using e-cigarette devices after gaining access to them," Rosen added.

Key Findings

The findings were based on an analysis of more than 92,000 reported nicotine exposures in children ages 5 and younger between 2016 and 2023.

The researchers noted that vaping risks often involved children who inhaled the vapors directly from the devices. They also found that children exposed to e-cigarettes were more likely to require a visit to a health care facility compared with those exposed to cigarettes.

According to researchers, young children naturally mimic the behaviors they see around them. So, parents and caregivers must keep vaping devices away from the reach of young children.

Previous research has shown that even moderate ongoing nicotine exposure can lead to lasting health effects on developing lungs, including increased risk of bronchitis and worsening asthma.

"When children see caregivers or older family members vaping, they may copy that behavior—bringing the device to their mouth and inhaling—without any understanding they are exposing themselves to a harmful substance," said Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

Vaping: A Concern

Vaping has become a more common form of tobacco use among American middle and high school students.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.6 million students used e-cigarettes in 2024, with 87.6 percent of them opting for a flavored product.

It is the flavor that makes it even more addictive, and people want to keep smoking it, resulting in it being emptied and refilled way more quickly.

This means those who smoke flavored cigarettes consume more tobacco than those who smoke unflavored ones.