Final answer:
Bad things that lead to stress reactions are called stressors, which trigger a three-stage response in the body known as the general adaptation syndrome, potentially causing health issues if prolonged.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bad things to which we have to adapt and that can lead to a stress reaction is called stressors. These are events or conditions in our environment that may trigger stress responses. Our bodies respond to stress through a process known as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), which includes three stages: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion. In the first stage, the body reacts to the stressor with a fight-or-flight response. If the stress is chronic, it can lead to various health issues, such as hypertension and depleted immune system function. Stress can be both physiologically and psychologically damaging, particularly when the body's stress response is activated over long periods without adequate recovery.