Chapter 4Stress and Your Health

Describe the 5 different causes of stress Describe the body’s physical response to

stress Differentiate between positive and negative

stress Describe how stress can make you sick

Lesson Objectives

Stress is the body’s and mind’s response to a demand

Stressor- any situation that puts a demand on the body or mind

There are several different things that can cause stress in someone’s life

Stress can be broken down into 5 categories

What is Stress?

Environmental stressors ◦ (pollution, poverty, noise, and natural disasters)

Biological stressors◦ (illness, disability, and injury)

Thinking stressors◦ (any mental challenge)

Behavioral stressors◦ (lack of sleep, no exercise, and drug use)

Life change stressors ◦ ( Death in family, marriage, any significant life

change)

The 5 Stressors

Anytime we are put in a stressful situation our body responds to help use react to the stressor◦ (ex: stopping a soccer goal, moving out of the

way of a fast moving car) The physical changes that happen in the

body during a time of stress are know as the Fight or Flight response

Physical Response to Stress

During the fight or flight response the body releases the hormone Epinephrine (adrenaline)

The release of epinephrine triggers different responses in the body including ◦ Increases breathing for more oxygen◦ Faster heart rate to increase blood flow to help

transport oxygen to the muscles ◦ Muscle tension◦ Dilated pupils (increased vision)◦ Digestion slows down◦ Blood sugar level increases to provide more energy

The Fight or Flight Response

Everyone has the same physical response to stress, but not everyone has the same emotional and behavioral response to stress

A person’s response to a stressful event depends on whether they see the stressor as positive or negative.

Emotional and Behavioral Response to Stress

Stress that helps a person achieve a goal by working harder is an example of positive stress.

Positive stress is known as eustress ◦(studying for a final exam)

How Can Stress Be Positive?

Stress that can make a person sick or keep them from reaching a goal is negative stress

Negative stress is known as distress◦(ex: stressing too much over a final exam)

Negative Stress

Think Optimistic Prepare yourself Only concentrate on what you can control Don’t worry about what is out of your

control Do your best!!!

How Can We Make Stress Work For Us

If your body experiences prolonged stress it can weaken the immune system and result in illness

Stress over a long period of time can also lead to heart disease and other illnesses like:◦ Cold and flu◦ Headache◦ Stroke◦ Heart disease ◦ Chronic fatigue ◦ Anxiety disorders◦ Insomnia ◦ Depression

How Stress Can Make You Sick

What are the 5 causes of stress? What are three physical reactions to stress?

What is Eustress? What is Distress? What are three illnesses that are the result of prolonged stress?

Quick Recap

Key Terms Resiliency-the ability to recover from illness, hardship, and other stressors

Asset- a skill or resource that can help a person reach a goal

Prioritize- to arrange items in order of importance

Dealing With Stress

Exercise regularly Get enough restEat Right

Take Care of Yourself

Breathing Exercises

Tension-Releasing Exercises

Learn to Relax