Daily Dose Of Medicine With Nurse Nette: How Stress Affects the Body Stress is the physical and emotional response to a perceived challenge, demand, threat, or major change. In short term, the stress response can be helpful: the brain signals the body to release hormones such as adrenaline and corticol, increasing alertness and preparing the body to respond. When stress is brief, the body generally returns toward its normal state after the stressful event. When stress is frequent, severe, or prolonged, the body may remain in a state of increased activation, which can contribute to physical and emotional symptoms. Today, ask yourself: What has been stressing me lately? Engagement prompt: What do you think? Share your experience.