What is Stress?

Stress is simply the mind

and body’s reactions to everyday demands.

It causes psychophysiological illnesses.

lack of joy, spontaneity, happiness,

intolerance of people and irritability

outbursts of anger

difficulty in concentrating or making decisions

beginning or increased use of alcohol or drugs

restlessness or difficulty being alone

loss of efficiency in work/school

preoccupation with negative thoughts

frequent physical illnesses real or imagined

persistent nightmares and recurring bad dreams

psychosomatic illness, ie: unexplainable rash

withdrawal from friends and social situations

"Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.“~Thomas Jefferson

Its not stress that kills us,it is our reaction to it.Hans Selye

Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.  ~Richard Carlson

The perfect no-stress environment is the grave.~Greg Anderson

Stress Cases Per Million Hours Worked

020

4060

80100

120140

160180

200

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

FemaleMale

Which year did men report more stress than women?

1990

Different types of stress?

Acute stress

sudden jolt in which you know exactly why you’re stressed

Episodic acute stress endure acute stress frequently

those prone to episodic acute stress include driven, hard-charging “Type A” personality types and worrywarts

Chronic stress

stress that wears you down day after

day and year after year, with no visible escape.

Traumatic stressSevere stress reactions

catastrophic event or intense experience

Top Two Reasons for Stress

Lack of Sleep & Repetitive Tasks

“I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round…

I just love to see them turn.

No longer on the merry-go-round…

I just had to let it go”

John Lennon

Intellectual symptoms: How stress can affect your mind

•Memory problems. •Difficulty making decisions. •Inability to concentrate. •Confusion. •Seeing only negative. •Repetitive or racing thoughts.  •Poor judgment. •Loss of objectivity. •Desire to escape or run away.

Moody and hypersensitive. Restlessness and anxiety.

Depression. Anger and resentment.

Easily irritated and “on edge”. Sense of being overwhelmed.

Lack of confidence. Apathy.

Urge to laugh or cry at inappropriate times

Emotional symptoms:How stress can make you feel

Headaches Digestive problems

Muscle tension and painSleep disturbances

Fatigue Chest pain, irregular heartbeat

High blood pressureWeight gain or loss

Asthma or shortness of breath Skin problems

Decreased sex drive

Physical symptoms:

How stress can affect your body

STRESS-FACTStress releases fatty

acids and glucose into bloodstream- cortisol

These become natural fat and cholesterol which is deposited on arterial walls.

Health Problems Linked to Stress

Substance abuse Ulcers

Irritable bowel syndrome Memory loss

Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus)

Insomnia Thyroid problems

Infertility

Heart attack Hypertension

Stroke Cancer

Diabetes Depression

Obesity Eating disorders

STRESS-MATHCaffeine and tobacco raise

heart rate 14 beats per minute.

When combined with stress, heart rate is increased to 38 beats a minute.

A smoker’s heart beats____________ more

times in twenty four period.

20,160

Behavioral symptoms:Stress can affect your behavior

Eating more or less. Sleeping too much or too little. Isolating yourself from others.

Neglecting your responsibilities. Increasing alcohol and drug use.

Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Overdoing activities such as

exercising or shopping. Losing your temper.

Overreacting to unexpected problems.

Poverty and financial worries Long-term unemployment

Dysfunctional family relationships Caring for chronically ill family member

Feeling trapped in unhealthy relationships or career choices

Living in area besieged by war or violence

Bullying or harassment Perfectionism

Chronic stress causes:

Affects of Sleep Deprivation• Problem solving skills are impaired.

Sleep loss impairs ability to comprehend rapidly changing situations, increases likelihood of distraction, makes thinking more rigid, reduces ability to produce innovative solutions to problems.

•Communication skills suffer. Sleep loss reduces words in one’s vocabulary verbally and in writing, resulting in stilted conversations & greater use of cliches & slang

•Remove yourself from stressful situation

•Don't sweat the small stuff

•Change the way you react

•Get enough sleep

•Avoid self-medication or escape

Flow with it

•Try to "use" stress

•Seek professional help

Handling Stress

– Eat wisely

– Consult your physician or psychologist for professional advice

– Exercise regularly

– Take time to rest, relax, recreate

– Set goals in you life

– Adapt to change

– Communicate your feelings

– Think positively

Don’t Be So Serious

• Everyone needs a good laugh now and then. It’s free, it’s contagious, and it’s good for you! Here are some suggestions to help you add humor to your life.– Play – Look at the big picture– Consider how your favorite person would handle a

situation– Hang out with people you laugh with– Have a positive outlook– Make time for laughter

What Can Laughter Do For You?

• Gives your heart and lungs a workout

• Helps you relax• Boosts the immune

system• Reduces pain• Improves mood

• Gives a feeling of control

• Makes us more creative

• Fights depression• Reduces anger• Helps with chronic

breathing problems

The Pet Prescription

Research has shown that when dog or cat owners were asked to perform a stressful arithmetic task, they showed less stress in company of pets than in company of friend. Other studies found that owning a pet relieves depression, reduces blood pressure, triglycerides, improves exercise habits, lowers risk of heart attacks.

Effect of music on heart rate measured one week before surgery (1), on day of surgery (2), just before surgery (3), during surgery (4) and after surgery (5).

Are you stressed? Try the stress test:

This was used in a case study on stress level at St. Mary's Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the

water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study of a group revealed that in spite of the fact the dolphins are identical; a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins.  If there are any differences found between both dolphins, it means

that the person is experiencing a great amount of stress.  Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or

two differences you may want to make an appt with …..

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I cannot accept and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I killed today because they didn’t complete the reading guide like I told them!