Final answer:
Unconscious processes to cope with stress involve defense mechanisms and the fight-or-flight response, designed to help manage anxiety and reduce stress on both physiological and psychological levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unconscious processes that people release to cope with stress refer to the various defense mechanisms our minds employ. These are involuntary strategies our unconscious mind uses to manage anxiety and maintain psychological equilibrium. When a person encounters stress, it triggers the fight-or-flight response, a physiological reaction that prepares the body to either confront or escape from perceived threats. This response involves a cascade of changes including increased heart rate and hormone release, such as adrenaline and cortisol, aiming to equip the individual with heightened abilities to deal with the stressor. If the stress is psychological rather than physical, these physiological responses might not be as adaptive and can lead to negative health consequences when they are persistently activated. Repression, for example, is a defense mechanism where overwhelming thoughts or memories are blocked from conscious awareness, much like turning up a car radio to drown out a noise, thus helping to manage the anxiety on a psychological level.