If you see a colleague drowning in deadlines or a friend struggling to keep up with their fitness routine, telling them to 'just relax' is rarely the solution. In fact, it is usually the last thing they want to hear. As coaches here at JG Fit, we focus on understanding the biology of how we handle pressure. Whether you are navigating a high-pressure project at work or pushing through a tough personal training session, understanding the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is key to your progress.
What is GAS? Coined by Dr. Hans Selye, the General Adaptation Syndrome is your body’s blueprint for handling stress. It explains how your system reacts to a stimulus, whether that stimulus is a heavy squat, a major presentation, or even the humidity of a Singapore afternoon. GAS occurs in three distinct phases:
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Alarm Reaction Stage: The body’s initial 'fight or flight' response. Your heart rate spikes and hormones like cortisol kick in when faced with a new demand.
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Resistance Stage: The body attempts to adapt to the stressor. It begins to repair itself and build the necessary strength or mental capacity to handle the load more effectively.
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Exhaustion Stage: If the stress continues without adequate recovery, the body loses the capacity to adapt. This is where burnout and injury occur.
