- Occurs after alarm reaction is stressor isn't dealt with - It functions as an adaptive stage in response to a persistent stressor, sustaining high levels of physiological arousal as the body adjusts to increased hormone levels - Body experiences a rise in its resistance to the stressor - High levels of stress hormones like cortisol cause immunosuppression, more likely to get sick - Often, individuals focus most of their energy on the stressor at hand - Resistance to other stress can decrease - Cortisol levels are sustained at heightened levels to maintain an increased ability to respond to the stressor