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.

Been feeling a certain tightness in your chest or out of breath when you walk up the stairs?

Dr Sharonne Hayes, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic US has revealed that low exercise tolerance or not being able to do physical activity for long or as intensely as in the past may be a sign of a future heart attack due to coronary heart disease.

The expert told TODAY.com, "I find as a physician, one of the most helpful questions when somebody comes in and says they’re breathless, I say, think back: Could you do that earlier this summer or last summer, and now you can’t?

"A substantial minority of patients will have some symptoms that, had they paid attention to them or sought an outpatient evaluation, they might have had a different outcome."

She explained that sudden tiredness, breathlessness and having to take a break while performing basic physical activities such as going on a walk may indicate narrowed arteries in the body which can suggest heart blockage. Over time, this can develop into coronary artery disease and pave the way for a heart attack.

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Despite being as a common heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack. The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Treatment options may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help also prevent CAD and the conditions that can cause it.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

How Much You Should Exercise To Prevent CAD?

Moreover, regular exercise can also reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer’s, several types of cancer. It can also help improve sleep, cognition, including memory, attention and processing speed.

Dr Hayes recommends opting for a cardiac evaluation such as an electrocardiogram, or EKG; stress test; a cardiac MRI or CT scan to generate images of your heart if you notice changes in your ability to exercise or cannot perform consistent levels of exercise.

Wegovy pill is launched on Monday and the starting dose is now available at pharmacies around the US. Higher doses will arrive by the end of the week. The Food and Drug Administration approved the pill for obesity on December 22. The pill has also been approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke among patients who are obese or overweight.

How Effective Is The Wegovy Pill?

After injection by Novo Nordisk, of the same name, Wegovy, which has been on the market since 2021, its popularity grew so much that it was in short supply until February 2025. The pill version has now come out, which many experts believe will expand its accessibility. As the monthly supply of pill is expected to be cheaper than the monthly supply of the weight loss injection.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that a 25 milligram Wegovy pill led to 13.6% reduction in weight on average over 64 weeks. When compared to placebo, the result was only 2.2% of weight loss. Novo Nordisk says that those who stayed on the treatment and reduced their calorie intake, it would lead to a loss of 16.6% of their weight.

How To Use The Weight Loss Pill?

The first step lies in buying the correct and safe weight loss pill. Make sure the weight loss pills are clinically proven option for people to use to reduce their weight.

Take the pill with a glass of water. Make sure to always have the pill prescribed and follow the instructions that you GP has told. Store the pill in a cold place, however avoid freezing the medicine. Keep the medicine out of a child's reach. In some weight loss pills, if you miss your dosage, you can take it within 1 hour, however, clarify these doubts from your GP. A pill can usually be consumed within an hour of a fat-containing meal up to three times a day., however, the Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach. Patients are advised not to eat, drink, or take other medicines for at least 30 minutes afterward. Thus, one must follow what is being prescribed for the best result, as the administering of the pill could vary based on the medication.

Most importantly, a healthy balanced diet, and a regular workout routine is also important will the person is on the pill.

Read: Wegovy Starter Dose Now Available As Daily Pill, Replacing Weekly Injections

What Are The Side Effects Of Wegovy Pill?

Digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting remain the most common side effects of GLP-1 drugs. These issues were also reported in studies of the pill versions. Around 7 percent of participants taking the Wegovy pill stopped treatment because of side effects, compared with 6 percent in the placebo group. In orforglipron’s trial, up to 10 percent of patients discontinued treatment, compared with 3 percent on placebo.

One key difference lies in how the medications are used. The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. Patients are advised not to eat, drink, or take other medicines for at least 30 minutes afterward. Doctors say this requirement has limited the use of Rybelsus, the pill form of semaglutide approved for diabetes, compared with Ozempic.

Eli Lilly highlights that orforglipron was taken once daily in trials without restrictions on food or water, which may make it easier for patients to use consistently.

Anyone who has purchased omeprazole will have noticed a clear NHS warning advising against using the drug for longer than two weeks due to its possible impact on the body. Omeprazole belongs to a group of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, and is commonly used across the UK to treat conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

How Omeprazole Works and How It Is Prescribed?

Omeprazole works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It comes in several forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid preparations. While some versions can be bought directly from pharmacies or shops, the medicine is most often prescribed by a GP.

Although it is effective at easing symptoms linked to excess stomach acid, health experts caution against long-term use. Taking omeprazole for extended periods has been linked to a higher chance of developing certain side effects, which is why routine, prolonged use is usually discouraged.

What NHS Guidance Says About Duration of Use

The NHS clearly advises people who buy omeprazole without a prescription not to take it for more than two weeks. Its guidance states: “Do not take omeprazole for longer than 2 weeks if you bought it without a prescription. See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better.”

In cases where symptoms are more severe or ongoing, a GP may recommend continuing the medication for longer under medical supervision. However, anyone worried about the risks of taking omeprazole beyond a fortnight is advised to discuss this with their doctor or another qualified healthcare professional.

Possible Side Effects of Omeprazole

Like all medicines, omeprazole can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. According to NHS information, some side effects are more likely to appear if the drug is taken continuously for 12 months or longer.

Common Side Effects

Milder and more common side effects associated with omeprazole include:

• Constipation
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick
• Excess wind
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

More Serious Risks to Be Aware Of

Less common but more serious side effects linked to omeprazole use include weakened bones, which may increase the risk of fractures. In rare cases, people may experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can cause swelling of the tongue or throat, an itchy raised rash, and difficulty breathing.

Other reported risks include a form of lupus that can lead to joint pain and skin rashes, as well as low vitamin B12 levels, which may result in tiredness, muscle twitching, and dizziness.

When to Seek Medical Help?

The NHS also advises calling 111 if you are taking omeprazole and believe you may be experiencing serious side effects. This list does not cover every possible reaction, and individual responses to the drug can vary.

For full guidance, patients are encouraged to read the leaflet included with their medication. More detailed information on how to take omeprazole safely, along with a complete breakdown of potential side effects, is available on the NHS website.