Your body’s response to Your body’s response to physical and mental pressuresphysical and mental pressures

StressorsStressors

Anything that causesAnything that causes

stress.stress. Two kinds of stress:Two kinds of stress:

– EustressEustress- - Positive stressPositive stress Ex. New job, athletic event, new baby, marriageEx. New job, athletic event, new baby, marriage

– DistressDistress- Negative stress- Negative stress Ex. Death, overworked, sick, fight, breakupEx. Death, overworked, sick, fight, breakup

The Stress Response aka The Stress Response aka GASGASGeneral Adaptation General Adaptation SyndromeSyndrome 3 stages3 stages

– 1. Alarm1. Alarm

““Fight or flight”- adrenalineFight or flight”- adrenalineIncreased heart rate, sweatIncreased heart rate, sweat

– 2. Resistance2. Resistance

Resist StressorResist StressorUse psychological defenseUse psychological defense““Cope”Cope”

– 3. 3. ExhaustionExhaustion

Can no longer deal with stressCan no longer deal with stress

Signs of stress include:Signs of stress include:

Pounding heartPounding heart HeadachesHeadachesDepressionDepression

FatigueFatigue IndigestionIndigestionMood swingsMood swings

InsomniaInsomnia NightmaresNightmares Muscle achesMuscle aches AnxietyAnxiety Weight changeWeight change ConfusionConfusion Shortness of breathShortness of breath ForgetfulnessForgetfulness

Health Effects of Stress Health Effects of Stress

Psychosomatic IllnessPsychosomatic Illness- - Sickness/disease caused by stressSickness/disease caused by stress– Sleep disordersSleep disorders- insomnia- insomnia– Skin disordersSkin disorders- cold sores, acne- cold sores, acne– Digestive problemsDigestive problems- indigestion, ulcers- indigestion, ulcers– HeadachesHeadaches- migraines- migraines– Immune systemImmune system- lowers, get sick easier- lowers, get sick easier– Heart diseaseHeart disease- increased heart rate, - increased heart rate,

increased BPincreased BP

Handling StressHandling Stress

– RecognizeRecognize– Use decision making strategiesUse decision making strategies– Physical activityPhysical activity

Endorphins- chemicals alter moodEndorphins- chemicals alter mood– Use relaxation techniquesUse relaxation techniques

Visualization, Progressive relaxationVisualization, Progressive relaxation– Get support from your friendsGet support from your friends– Manage your timeManage your time

Don’t procrastinateDon’t procrastinate Take time for yourselfTake time for yourself

Avoid the self-fulfilling prophecyAvoid the self-fulfilling prophecy

Avoid the self-fulfilling Avoid the self-fulfilling prophecyprophecy

Stay Stay positive!positive!

Avoid Avoid negative negative comments!comments!

Personality types and Personality types and StressStress

Type A- Type A- Very structuredVery structured Type B-Type B- Laid back, go with the Laid back, go with the

flowflow

List as many stress List as many stress management tips as you management tips as you can:can: EXAMPLE: Watch funny videosEXAMPLE: Watch funny videos http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v

=RP4abiHdQpc=RP4abiHdQpc – Laughing babyLaughing baby

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5jVNsiM4IU=Q5jVNsiM4IU – Injured badInjured bad– http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v

=aP3gzee1cps=aP3gzee1cps