General Adaptation Syndrome – Understanding the Three Stages of Stress

Explore how prolonged stress affects the body and mind through General Adaptation Syndrome. Discover the alarm, resistance and exhaustion stages, recognise personal warning signs, explore practical recovery strategies and create a supportive action plan through interactive activities and reflection exercises.

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General Adaptation Syndrome | Space to Breathe Therapy

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND STRESS & ANXIETY · RESOURCE 4

General Adaptation Syndrome

Understand alarm, resistance and exhaustion — and explore what helps you recover.

Space to Breathe Therapy

Explore the three stages

This classic model describes possible patterns under sustained stress. It is not a diagnosis or a fixed sequence everyone experiences.

Stress and recovery explorer

Move the sliders to reflect a situation. This is a reflection aid, not a medical stress score.

Current demands: 5/10Support and recovery: 5/10

Recognise your own signs

Select what you have noticed recently. These signs can have many causes.

Build a realistic support plan

A demand I could reduce or clarifyA resource or adjustment I could requestOne recovery opportunity I could protectWhen I will check in again

When extra support matters

Persistent or worsening symptoms deserve attention. Speak with a GP or appropriate professional if stress affects your health or daily functioning. Do not assume new or concerning physical symptoms are caused by stress.

Based on Hans Selye’s classic model (1936), with modern context from stress research. Educational only.