Which is a physiological effect of stress?

Stress triggers various physiological responses in the body, one of which includes increased blood pressure. When an individual experiences stress, the body's fight-or-flight response is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This response prepares the body to react to perceived threats, resulting in physiological changes such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

In contrast, while improved productivity and enhanced communication might be outcomes of effective stress management or temporary motivation due to stress, they are not direct physiological effects. Additionally, decreased heart rate is typically associated with relaxation or a calm state, which is contrary to the typical response to stress, where heart rate and blood pressure generally increase. Hence, the physiological effect of stress that is most accurate in this context is the increase in blood pressure.