The reaction, known as the stress reaction, or, the fight or flight response, is a part of everyday living as it adapts the body to whatever the circumstances are. What is the reaction? In general, the reaction, which can affect all major organs and systems, is as follows: 

Cardiovascular System: 
Your heart beats more rapidly and with more force;
Blood pressure goes up;
Blood is diverted from the extremities (hands & feet) to the major muscle groups, brain, heart and/or lungs;
Rise in platelets and clotting factors.

Central Nervous System: 
Increased mental alertness;
Increased sensitivity of sense organs (eyes, ears);

Gastrointestinal System:
Increased levels of sugar, fats and cholesterol in the blood.

Respiratory System:
Faster breathing

Musculoskeletal System:
Tensing of muscles

Endocrinological System:
Increased output of adrenaline and other stress related hormones.

However, when the body is frequently in this state of 'hyperreadiness,' there are recognizable manifestations. 

Four areas categorize these manifestations: 

Physical: fatigue, headache, insomnia, muscle aches/stiffness, heart palpitations, nausea, frequent colds, chest pains, trembling

Mental: decreased memory and ability to concentrate, no sense of humor, mind going blank, indecisiveness, mind racing back & forth, confusion, uncertainty

Emotional: anxiety, frustration, fear, irritability, worry, impatience, short temper, anger, depression 

Behavioral: crying, nail biting, pacing, throwing things, finger tapping, smoking, jaw clinching, fidgeting, cursing, yelling, blaming, increased alcohol consumption, drug use, increased eating

External stressors include things like:

 
• Physical environment: noise, bright lights, heat, cold
• Social: aggressiveness, rudeness, hostility, bossiness
• Organizational: rules, deadlines, regulations
• Daily Hassles: commuting to work and school, writing assignments, cleaning the apartment/house, finding a parking space, finding your keys 
• Major Life Events: marriage, moving, new baby, death, promotions, flunking out of school

 
• Choices you make: coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, staying up late, doing too much, not doing work assignments, Pessimism, Doubt, Uncertainty, Inflexibility, Indecisiveness, All work and no play; and all play and no work

unprotected by marriage, knowledge of your partner and/or a condom. 

The consequences of taking this chance could include a sexually transmitted disease, an unwanted and/or an out of wedlock pregnancy, destroyed relationships and disrupted career and life plans. Obviously all of these possible consequences are quite distressful.

How can you handle stress? How do you 

The following are things you can do:

Take Care of Your Body
Exercise 30-45 minutes at least 3 times per week
Emphasize fruits and vegetables in your diet
Eliminate and/or reduce substances in your diet like coffee, colas, chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, sugar and salt
Use no illegal substances

Change Your Mind
Look for the positive in all situations
Be willing and active at taking a different view of the same situation 
Take the position: all problems represent opportunities to learn, grow, develop, change

Increase Your Skills
learn how to manage money
learn how to solve problems
learn how and when to be assertive
learn how to manage your time effective and efficiently

Develop and Maintain a Sense of Humor
Don't take yourself too seriously, take the work you do seriously
Be creative; look at things differently
Laugh at yourself and with others as often as possible

Be Spiritually Strong
Know that God is
Know God
Love God
Follow God
God is all about life and things that support, sustain, develop, grow, maintain and/or maximize it (life)