Stress Stress the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging Can be good or bad Its a mind-body system (like emotion) Fight or Flight Pull back Selyes General Adaption Syndrome (GAS) theory Body has a general response to stress Three phases Alarm reaction high heart rate, faintness, shock etc. Resistance Temperature, blood pressure and respiration remain high; outpouring of hormones Exhaustion Susceptible to illness Telomeres and DNA shortened telomeres are associated with aging and death 3 types of stressors Catastrophes unpredictable large-scale events Life changes often in those under age 50 trying to take on too many things at once Daily hassles examples? Most significant source of stress for most people All can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) Stress and the heart High blood pressure leads to heart disease it used to be rare, but is now the most common cause of death Type A and Type B Type A personalities reactive, competitive, impatient, super-motivated, verbally aggressive Type B theyre like, totally relaxed and stuff In study, 69% of those who had heart attacks were type As. Those who were the most B had no heart attacks People who react with the most anger to little things are most prone to this condition Pessimism and depression have similar affects Stress and Disease Immune System Too strong allergies, arthritis, lupus Too weak cancer, viruses Stress depresses our immune system Basically, stress triggers sympathetic nervous system responses that divert energy from the immune system Wounds heal more slowly More likely to get a cold Pretty much all centenarians manage stress well Leads to increase in the rate of transition from HIV to AIDS Some studies show a similar link to cancer: stress doesnt cause it, but may speed its progression The immune system can be suppressed through classical conditioning Stress related factors Lymphocytes (white blood cells) Animals placed in zoos (and rats placed in cages) sometimes die soon after due to a decrease in the production of lymphocytes Perceived control We are usually less susceptible to disease and live longer when we feel like we have control over our situations A perception of control gives us hope Optimists and Pessimists Optimists are healthier and live longer Laughter helps, too Question: Who is the most positive Transformer? Answer: Optimist Prime! Social Support We need it. Pets also help Married people live healthier, longer lives Talking to people/confiding, or expressing troubles through a diary or art can be beneficial Managing Stress Exercise Boosts mood and immune functioning As effective as drugs in combatting depression, plus less symptom recurrence Adds 2 years to your life Relaxation and Meditation Practicing relaxation helps you relax Better health, longer life Spirituality Rivals non-smoking and exercise in increasing longevity Brings together many factors correlated with longevity: healthier living, social ties, marriage, sense of hope and acceptance Changing illness related behaviors Smoking Its really bad for you. One of the surest ways to ensure that you will have a short life span Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine Difficult to quit try each year, 1/7 succeed. 90% start as teens Obesity Associated with a wide range of health risks Discrimination experiment What causes weight gain? Genetic predisposition and/or early childhood eating patterns cause fat cells to grow to several times normal size Metabolism obese people tend to have a higher set- point, that keeps them near that weight When getting fewer calories, metabolic rate decreases (your body doesnt burn through fat as quickly) Genes play a large role in obesity, but so does our lifestyle of high fat/ high sugar foods, large portions, and lots of sitting Large portions/packaging cause people to eat more (unit bias) Being tired decreases your ability to resist sugary/fatty foods