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.

Considered to be a key symbol of fertility and reproductive years, a woman's menstrual cycles are an integral and natural part of her life. However, they are more than just a monthly event, but instead a reflection of their hormonal, metabolic and even emotional health.

Due to genetics and other lifestyle factors, every woman experiences their cycle differently, which leaves many second-guessing about their hormonal balance, thyroid function, metabolic health, stress levels and even sleep quality.

Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist and IVF Expert, Nurture exclusively tells Healthandme: "Knowing these patterns would guide people to understand when the changes are normal worry and when they are upheaval of a problem. Although the cycles vary among individuals, some features of such cycles are common between individuals, including the length of the cycle, flow, symptoms, as well as consistency, which are used to determine a normal state at various ages.

Here is what you should know and keep an eye out for during each phase:

The Early Years: Finding a Rhythm

Dr Maya PL Gade, Consultant, Gynaecology & Obstetrics at Kokilaben Hospital tells Healthandme: "In the first 2–3 years after menarche i.e. your first period, irregular cycles are common. Nearly 40–50 percent of adolescents do not ovulate consistently at first. The brain–ovarian hormonal axis is still maturing, so cycles may be longer than 35 days (than their typical 28 day monthly cycle) , bleeding may be heavy and cramps can feel intense.

Dr Rohan Palshetkar, Consultant IVF Specialist, Bloom IVF also warned that bleeding for more than 7–8 days continuously, soaking pads every 1–2 hours or going more than 90 days without a period may signal hormonal imbalance, clotting disorders, or conditions like PCOS.

He told Healthandme: "It is important to note that early teen cycles often happen without ovulation. For teenage girls, developing stable cycle will take some time due to ovaries adjusting to produce hormones. It is only in their late teens and early 20s that the girls will get the cycles more regular."

Normal Menstrual Cycle: According to Dr Bajaj, a normal cycle can be between 21 and 45 days. During bleeding, flow can be light, heavy, and cramps, mood swings, or even fatigue may accompany the adaptation of the organism to the hormonal changes.

Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: The expert explained: "Extensive bleeding, which needs the replacement of sanitary items every hour to two hours, long than seven or eight days, excruciating pain, or lack of periods in several months could be a sign of hormonal imbalance, thyroid complications, or polycystic ovarian syndrome."

20s and Early 30s: The Stable Phase

Talking about the post-teenager phase, Dr Gade said: "For many women, this is when cycles become more predictable, typically every 21–35 days, with 3–7 days of bleeding. Ovulation is more regular and PMS patterns are clearer. However, this is also the stage where lifestyle has a strong impact."

"Fertility is also at its peak in the 20s and early 30s, making it easy for women in this age group to become pregnant. With childbirth and breastfeeding, the chances of cycle alteration, its flow and length are high," Dr Palshetkar added.

Dr Gade also noted that high stress, poor sleep, intense exercise, crash dieting, thyroid disorders, or PCOS can disrupt ovulation and any sudden irregularity in this decade is often the body’s early warning system. A consistently painful period is also not “normal”, it may point to endometriosis or adenomyosis, both of which are frequently underdiagnosed,"

Keeping this in mind, it is essential for girls in their 20s and early 30s to track their period for regularity and flow, Dr Palshetkar advised.

Normal Menstrual Cycle: Dr Bajaj told this publication: "The average period to undergo a cycle is 21 to 35 days at an average of three to seven days with a moderate flow. The symptoms can be mild and include bloating, cramps or breast tenderness that can be easily treated."

Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: Talking about abnormal alterations, the gynaecologist said: "Excessive menstrual bleeding, cramps that impair normal life or inter-menstrual bleeding may be some of the early signs of endometriosis, fibroids, hormonal disruption or chronic stress."

Late 30s to 40s: The Hormonal Transition

Dr Gade explained: "Fertility begins to decline gradually after 35 due to reduced ovarian reserve. Cycles may shorten initially because ovulation happens slightly earlier. As women move into perimenopause, a transition that can last 4–8 years, hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably. Estrogen doesn’t simply drop; it rises and falls unevenly.

"This explains why many women notice heavier bleeding, clotting, worsening PMS, new-onset anxiety, sleep disturbances or cycles that skip months and then return. Studies suggest that up to 90 percent of women experience noticeable cycle changes during this phase.

"Importantly, very heavy bleeding at this stage should not be ignored. It can sometimes be linked to fibroids, endometrial thickening, or other structural changes in the uterus."

Moreover, Dr Palshetkar also warned: "For some, there is a noticeable and increasing gap between periods before menopause. Fertility decline is a reality in the age group, though it is not impossible to get pregnant.

Normal Menstrual Cycle: Dr Bajaj elaborated to Healthandme: "The hormonal shifts at this age may make the cycles a bit shorter or longer. Flow can either become thicker or thinner and premenstrual symptoms can be more pronounced as the body slowly transitions into perimenopause."

Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: Additionally, she said: "Very heavy bleeding, very prolonged intervals between the periods, bleeding following intercourse or sudden spotting between menstruation may be considered an issue, as these can be indicators of hormonal disorders, the presence of fibroids, or other gynecological problems."

Menopause: A New Baseline

Ultimately, Dr Gade detailed: "Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period, with the average age globally around 50–51 years. Hormone levels stabilize at lower levels, and while periods stop, symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone density changes, and metabolic shifts may appear."

"Post-menopause, a woman’s reproductive health sees a significant decline of estrogen levels, fertility, and inability to produce any eggs. However, it still sees noticeable hormonal fluctuations and resultant health troubles.

"Facing PMS-like symptoms like mood swings and irritability is not uncommon. Medical attention is required when women notice severe pain or very heavy bleeding at

any age after menopause.

"The changes and evolution in the menstrual cycles are proof of her complete health during the course of the life she lives. And it impacts the way she lives or can live through her lifetime," Dr Palshetkar added.

Normal Menstrual Cycle: Lastly, Dr Bajaj said: "Prior to menopause, the cycles can become irregular since of the hormonal fluctuations and some symptoms like hot flushes, sleeping problems or mood swings can appear."

Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: While she noted that slight spotting is possible post-menopause due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels, the expert advised: "Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding is regarded as abnormal and needs to be medically examined because it may be due to underlying health conditions that must be addressed."

Hailey Bieber recently opened up about a mini stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) she experienced when she was just 25. In an episode of the SHE MD podcast, hosted by Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Aliabadi, Hailey discussed how the mini stroke actually led her to find out an even bigger issue in her heart.

Dr. Aliabadi, a world-renowned OBGYN based in Los Angeles, who is also Hailey’s doctor, explained that this ordeal led Hailey’s medical team to discover a PFO, also known as a hole in her heart

In the interview, the founder of Rhode Beauty detailed how she had the classic stroke symptoms and said: “[My] whole right side of my arm went numb. I couldn't speak. Like my words were coming out all jumbled. The right side of my face was drooping. It was like a classic stroke symptom”

She explained that the reason why her team called it a mini stroke is because it ended within 31 minutes. By the time she reached the hospital, she didn’t need any clot busting medicine or procedure.

What Caused Hailey Bieber’s Mini Stroke?

Dr. Aliabadi explained that Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is extremely common phenomenon and a majority of people go through life never knowing they have it.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that the PFO is a small flap or opening between the upper chambers of your heart that everyone has. However, it usually closes up before the age of three. Most of the time, a PFO doesn’t cause symptoms and would not need treatment; however, in rare cases, it could lead to a stroke and or a TIA.

How Was Hailey’s Heart Condition Diagnosed

Hailey explained that her heart is slightly tilted in her chest and standard echocardiogram couldn't see the opening at first which led ER doctors to be unable to detect it.

As a result, she had to see a specialist for a Transcranial Doppler test. Doctors listened to the sound of blood "shunting" (moving the wrong way) through her heart to finally confirm the hole was there, which was much larger than they expected.

Also Read: Women Heart Symptoms Could Differ From Men, Explains Expert

What Is Transcranial Doppler Test?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is an ultrasound test that uses sound waves to detect conditions that affect blood flow to and within your brain. It can detect strokes caused by blood clots, narrowed sections of blood vessels, and numerous other heart-related issues.

How Did They Fix Hailey Bieber’s Heart?

Instead of an open-heart surgery, doctors performed a modern, minimally invasive procedure on Hailey's heart. She detailed the procedure where the doctors reached her heart through a vein in her groin. They threaded a tiny "button" made of metal and Teflon up to her heart and used it to securely plug the hole.

Hailey also learned she has some genetic factors that put her at a higher risk for blood clots and inflammation. Despite suffering a life-altering stroke, she views it as a "blessing in disguise" as it led her to find these issues early.

Now, she manages her health through a clean lifestyle, focusing on sleep, exercise and keeping her heart inflammation low.

Reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission, also called vertical transmission, to zero is crucial to achieve the end AIDS target by 2030 in India, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, said experts.

At the 17th National Conference of the AIDS Society of India (ASICON 2026), health officials and experts together deliberated on the progress made in the country against HIV and also called for a stronger last-mile effort to eliminate AIDS from the country.

While India has made a major reduction in vertical HIV transmission, with just 0.7 percent of infant diagnoses. But the experts stressed the need to further reduce it to zero.

From 25 percent in 2020, the vertical transmission of HIV has come down to 11.75 percent in 2023, according to Dr. Glory Alexander, President of AIDS Society of India (ASI).

“Before treatments were available to prevent vertical transmission, the risk of a newborn acquiring HIV in India ranged from 15 percent to 45 percent. The risk was nearly 45 percent among infants who were breastfed,” Dr. Alexander said.

She attributed the reduction to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and implementation of HIV prevention and treatment guidelines.

"The government has successfully reduced the rate of infant HIV diagnosis (risk of a child getting infected with HIV due to vertical transmission) to 0.71 percent. We need to further reduce it to zero to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV,” Dr. Alexander added.

Intensifying Last-Mile Approach

India reportedly has 27-29 million pregnancies every year.

As per the latest National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) report, 83 percent of all pregnant women are tested for HIV, and 78 percent of all pregnant women are tested for syphilis in India.

“Out of an estimated 19,000 pregnant women who might be living with HIV in India, over 16,000 were reached by the government-run program and linked to services -- half of them were newly diagnosed with HIV,” Dr. Alexander said.

NACO runs 794 antiretroviral therapy centers across the country and provides free HIV treatment to 18 lakhs people with HIV.

NACO's over 700 “Suraksha Sewa Kendras” also provide preventive services for people who are at risk of acquiring HIV.

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Emeritus President of AIDS Society of India (ASI), called India's progress "commendable."

"But to end AIDS, the last mile approach has to be accelerated and intensified manifold,” the expert said.

Increase HIV Testing Manifold

Dr. Gilada stressed the need to "ensure that all key populations know their status, and those with HIV are linked to treatment, care, and support services and remain virally suppressed".

If a person with HIV is virally suppressed, then there is zero risk of any further HIV transmission, as per the WHO, he added.

Indian data shows 9-43 times higher HIV rates (as compared to the general population) among key populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, people who inject drugs, among others.

These key populations are hard to reach, which warrants community-led and science-backed approaches, said Dr. Gilada.

Reducing Advanced HIV Disease

Despite commendable progress in India’s HIV response, there is a huge number of cases of advanced HIV disease (AHD) -- about one third of all people living with HIV in the country, the experts said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines AHD as a CD4 count less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter/ or WHO stage 3/4 in adults/adolescents, and all children less than 5 years old.

It indicates a severely weakened immune system, high mortality risk, and vulnerability to infections like TB and cryptococcal meningitis.

AHD cases in India are majorly among those who are HIV infected but are not on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.

"This could be because HIV infection is undiagnosed in people until they present with opportunistic infections to healthcare centers, or they were not able to adhere to the treatment for a range of reasons,” said Dr Trupti Gilada, Joint Secretary, AIDS Society of India (ASI).

TB, which is preventable and treatable, is the most common opportunistic infection among people with HIV.

Another concern is the rising antimicrobial resistance in HIV patients. Studies show that people with HIV are 2-3 times more likely to get drug-resistant forms of TB.