What Is Acute Stress?

Acute stress is what you feel in the face of an immediate threat. It's among the most common types of stress, experienced by most people a few times each day. These threats might be real or imagined and come in physical, emotional, and psychological forms.

Perceived Stress Equals Real Stress

Mild stressors can be simple, ordinary occurrences, such as an alarm clock going off, a new assignment at work, or even the momentary loss of your phone. Acute stress also can be more serious—for example, arguing with a friend, taking a test, or being pulled over for speeding. Whether the threat is real or imagined doesn't matter; it's the perception that triggers the stress response. 

What Happens in Acute Stress?

During an acute stress response, the autonomic nervous system is activated. Levels of cortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones rise and increase the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Blood is shunted from the extremities to the big muscles, preparing the body to fight or run away. This is also known as the fight-or-flight response.

Acute stress is easily managed because it occurs, and then it's over. It doesn't wreak the same havoc that chronic stress does because recovery is relatively fast and easy. Simple relaxation techniques can help.

What You Can Do: Strategies for Managing Stress

Chronic, prolonged stress—or repeated instances of acute stress—can take a bigger toll. A constant state of heightened anxiety can have effects on mental and physical health, so a stress management plan is important. The following strategies can help keep acute stress from becoming a problem

Avoid Stress Triggers

Staying away from the little things that always stress you—your tolerations—can help. You can't eliminate all stress (nor would you want to), but avoiding unnecessary, pointless aggravation can reap big benefits.

Learn Relaxation Techniques

Find ways to relax your body and calm your mind. You can't always predict the stressors in your life, but you can reverse your stress response by having a few tactics at the ready.

Adopt Resilience-Building Habits 

Habits such as meditation and exercise have been shown to help manage both acute and chronic stress. A morning yoga stretch, a walk in the woods, a self-help podcast during a long drive—whatever relaxes you can help build resilience to stress.