What is stress response?

'fight or flight': Stress boosts activity in the sympathetic nervous system & stress hormones are released. Pulse, blood pressure, sweating, & breathing rate go up; skin temp. Decreases as blood shifts to the vital organs; there can be muscle tension or tremors, GI symptoms e.g. Nausea, stomach ache, diarrhea; pacing, hand-wringing, etc. The body is set for survival action, but suffers if this continues too long.