What is the normal response to stress in humans?

The normal response to stress in humans is best characterized by the "fight or flight" response. This physiological reaction involves a series of hormonal changes and increased physical readiness designed to prepare an individual for confronting a threat (the "fight" response) or fleeing from it (the "flight" response). This response is rooted in our evolutionary biology, providing an immediate way to respond to perceived dangers in the environment.

When faced with stress, the body releases adrenaline and other stress hormones, which can lead to increased heart rate, heightened alertness, and other physical changes that enhance an individual’s ability to respond quickly to threats. This is a very natural and instinctive response designed to protect the individual from harm.

In contrast, while relaxation, withdrawal, and denial can indeed be responses to stress, they do not embody the primary and instinctual biological reaction aimed at immediate threats as effectively as the fight or flight response does. Relaxation strategies may be employed after the fact to manage stress, while withdrawal or denial may reflect avoidance rather than a direct response to stress.