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.

A viral TikTok has been telling women to toss their underwear every six to nine months, warning that anything older could be unhealthy. The internet reacted exactly how you would expect. Some people were shocked. Others admitted they still own pairs from years ago. Many simply wondered if they had been doing hygiene wrong all along. In fact, a report by The Asian News Hub also echoes the same claim that underwear must be changed in every six to nine months.

Health and Me ran a fact check to see whether there is a mandate on when to change your underwear and here is what we found:

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Speaking to Today.com, Dr. Jen Gunter, OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, pushed back strongly against the claim on social media. She explained that underwear does not suddenly become dangerous after a specific time period.

The idea, she said, reflects cultural anxiety around the vulva rather than science. Many people grow up hearing the vagina is fragile, dirty, or constantly at risk of infection, which fuels rigid hygiene rules that are not medically necessary.

Doctors agree there is no expiration date.

“There is no rule that says after six months you must replace your underwear,” Dr. Chavone Momon-Nelson, an OB-GYN at UPMC in Pennsylvania, told Today.com. She added that social media often turns suggestions into hard rules, even when evidence does not support them.

However, Dr Shirin Lakhani of Elite Aesthetics told Independent that underwear is in close contact with skin and intimate areas and could take in a lot of dead skin and bacteria, including naturally occurring ones and the harmful ones, which could lead to infection. She said that even regularly washing your underwear in a washing machine "won't always rid it completely of bacteria such as E.coli."

Another gynecologist Narendra Pisal at London Gynaecology suggests a 50-wash rule for discarding underwear.

What Actually Matters For Vaginal Health

Instead of the age of underwear, doctors say cleanliness and dryness are what really affect health.

Dr. Christine Greves, who practices at the Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Orlando, explained that clean underwear made from breathable fabric is usually sufficient. Cotton is commonly recommended because it allows airflow and reduces moisture buildup.

Damp or sweaty underwear can irritate skin and increase the chance of infection, but that problem has nothing to do with how long you have owned the garment. It has to do with whether it is clean and dry.

Momon-Nelson, DO, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, added that normal washing removes bacteria effectively, especially in warm or hot water. Regular laundry habits are enough for hygiene in most cases.

The Yeast Infection Fear

One persistent fear behind the viral claim is yeast infections. Some believe old underwear stores fungus even after washing.

Greves pointed to an older study examining whether candida could survive laundering. The research found that routine washing removed the organism and did not transmit infections when the underwear was reused.

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In other words, properly washed underwear does not act as a hidden infection source. However, constant washing, body oils, residual detergent, and dried sweat could make the underwear stiff, which could ruin its soft texture and cause chaffing. Pisal says, "If your underwear is causing chaffing, skin irritation or is torn", you may need to replace your underwear sooner.

Why The Myth Keeps Spreading

Experts say the rule survives because of long-standing stigma around female anatomy. Many products and trends market special cleansers, wipes, sprays and frequent replacement routines as necessary maintenance.

But medically, the vulva is simply skin. Gentle washing with soap and water externally is usually enough.

That does not mean buying new underwear is bad. Comfort, fit, and personal preference matter. Replacing worn-out elastic or damaged fabric makes sense. What doctors reject is the idea of a strict timeline.

As Momon-Nelson told Today.com, there is nothing wrong with enjoying new underwear. The problem begins when people feel forced by fear rather than choice.

Dementia impacts many people worldwide, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) data, 57 million people in 2021 were living with dementia. It is expected that dementia will impact 152 million by 2050, with nearly 10 million new cases added annually. Subtle personality shifts are often brushed off as stress, burnout, or simply aging; however, experts speaking to The Telegraph UK said that, in many families, behavior changes appeared years before dementia was diagnosed and memory problems ever showed up. Long before forgetting names or misplacing keys, the brain sometimes reveals distress through temperament.

Here are the personality patterns specialists consider early warning signs of dementia.

Early Signs of Dementia: Loss Of Confidence

One of the earliest changes families notice is a sudden drop in self belief. A person who once handled responsibilities with ease may start doubting routine decisions. Tasks they previously mastered begin to feel overwhelming.

This does not look like ordinary ageing. It feels abrupt and out of character. People may avoid activities they enjoyed, stop fixing things around the house, or repeatedly seek reassurance.

The reason lies in declining brain flexibility. When brain networks struggle to process information efficiently, the individual senses something is wrong even before memory fails. Many withdraw socially, which further increases cognitive decline risk because isolation deprives the brain of stimulation.

Early Signs of Dementia: Becoming Less Curious Or Open

Everyone becomes slightly set in their ways with age. But a marked shift toward rigid thinking can be significant.

Someone once eager to try new foods, travel, hobbies, or conversations may now resist anything unfamiliar. They prefer repetitive routines and become uncomfortable with change.

This matters because curiosity acts like exercise for the brain. Reduced openness means fewer new neural connections being formed. Over years, that lack of stimulation weakens resilience against degeneration.

Families often interpret this as stubbornness. In reality, the brain may be losing its ability to adapt.

Early Signs of Dementia: Difficulty Handling Problems

A striking early sign is emotional collapse over manageable situations. People who previously handled pressure calmly may suddenly panic over bills, schedules, or minor setbacks.

They might abandon responsibilities, become overwhelmed quickly, or react with distress disproportionate to the problem.

This happens because the brain’s coping reserve shrinks slowly over time. The person is not overreacting intentionally. They genuinely cannot process the situation the way they once could.

Often, this stage appears many years before diagnosis.

Early Signs of Dementia: Rising Impulsivity

Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior can be a strong warning sign. This may include reckless spending, gambling, inappropriate jokes, blunt comments, or risky decisions.

The change is especially noticeable when the person was previously cautious.

This reflects weakening control centres in the brain that regulate inhibition. The desire may always have existed, but the filter disappears. Families sometimes mistake this for a personality crisis or rebellion rather than a neurological change.

Early Signs of Dementia: Reduced Conscientiousness

Another overlooked sign is declining organization. Bills go unpaid, appointments are missed, and routines fall apart.

The person may appear lazy, careless, or uninterested in hygiene or planning. In truth, the brain’s planning circuits are struggling.

Interestingly, people who maintain structured habits tend to have lower dementia risk. When those habits suddenly erode, it may indicate underlying biological changes rather than attitude.

Early Signs of Dementia: Increased Anxiety And Emotional Fragility

Heightened nervousness often emerges early. Individuals become unusually worried, tense, or easily rattled. Minor uncertainties feel threatening.

Chronic stress affects inflammation levels in the body and brain, which accelerates damage to nerve cells. The emotional change can therefore be both a symptom and a driver of decline.

Families frequently interpret this as midlife stress, but persistence and personality mismatch are key clues.

Early Signs of Dementia: Loss Of Warmth And Empathy

Perhaps the most distressing shift is emotional distancing. Someone affectionate may grow indifferent, withdrawn, or blunt. They may stop comforting loved ones or show little reaction to emotional events.

This does not mean they care less. The brain regions responsible for social understanding and emotional recognition are weakening.

Such changes are often mistaken for depression or relationship problems, delaying evaluation.

Early Signs of Dementia: When Should You Be Concerned

A single change alone rarely means dementia. What matters is a consistent shift from lifelong behavior. If reactions feel unfamiliar compared to how the person handled situations for decades, it deserves attention.

In many cases, personality changes appear years before memory loss. Recognizing them early allows families to seek assessment, improve lifestyle factors, and prepare support systems while independence remains intact.

The brain often whispers before it forgets. Listening to behavior can be the first step toward protecting it.

Heart attack is the world's number one killer, yet its symptoms differ for both men and women, leading to varied outcomes.

A heart attack typically occurs when cholesterol plaque builds inside the walls of arteries and causes damage to the major blood vessels.

While men typically develop plaque in the largest arteries that supply blood to the heart, in women, it accumulates in the heart’s smallest blood vessels, known as the microvasculature.

A study published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, an American Heart Association journal, showed that women report less artery-clogging plaque. Yet, it did not protect them from heart disease compared to men.

The study showed that women faced increased heart risk at lower levels of plaque compared to men. For total plaque burden, women’s risk began to rise at 20 percent plaque burden, while men’s risk started at 28 percent.

The increasing plaque levels led to a sharper risk for women than for men.

How Heart Attack Symptoms Differ Between Men And Women

According to global studies, women are more likely than men to die from a heart attack. The major reason is the late onset of symptoms of a heart attack in women.

During a heart attack, men are likely to experience sweating, pain in the chest, arms, and legs, and shortness of breath.

While the experiences are common among women, they also tend to suffer a combination of less-recognized symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, fatigue, dizziness, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back.

The obvious chest discomfort is also sometimes absent during heart attacks in women.

Other common reasons for heart attacks in women include:

• High testosterone levels before menopause
• Hypertension during menopause
• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Stress and depression

Can Heart Attacks Be Prevented?

Cardiovascular diseases are mostly preventable by targeting traditional risk factors common to both women and men, which include obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history and metabolic syndrome -- the co-existence of high blood pressure, obesity, and high glucose and triglyceride levels.

The American Heart Association also advises at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as jogging), or a combination of both.

Include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, nuts, and seeds in your diet.

Limit processed foods, added sugars, sodium, and alcohol.