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Our bodies respond to stress the same way zebras do from "summary" of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
When a zebra is being chased by a lion, it experiences intense stress. Its heart rate shoots up, its blood pressure increases, and its muscles receive a surge of energy. This is the body's way of preparing for a fight or flight response - a mechanism that has been finely tuned through evolution. The zebra will either escape the predator or become its meal, but in either case, the stress response is activated for a specific, immediate threat. Humans, on the other hand, also experience stress in response to various situations, such as work deadlines, traffic jams, or family conflicts. While our stressors may not be as life-threatening as a lion chasing us, our bodies still respond in the same way as zebras do. The physiological changes that occur during stress - increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and heightened energy levels - are meant to help us deal with the perceived threat at hand. However, the problem arises when the stress is chronic, as is often the case in modern society. Unlike zebras, who only experience stress in short bursts, humans...
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