The Stress Response — Your body's fire alarm

When you sense danger, your body floods with cortisol. Your heart races. Digestion stops. Blood flows to your muscles. This response evolved to help you escape predators. It triggers the same way before a maths exam. Your body cannot tell the difference between a tiger and a test.

• The response is called "fight, flight, or freeze." All three are automatic. You do not choose which one happens.
• The alarm is useful in real danger. In a classroom, it needs to be recognised and managed.