COMMUNITY BODY MIND SPIRIT OUR HEALTH LEARNING ABOUT
COMMUNITY + BODY + MIND + SPIRIT = OUR HEALTH LEARNING ABOUT EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING & STRESS PART III
Let’s Talk About My Mind • When I hear the word “stress, ” I know what it means. • I understand the difference between “good” and “bad” stress. • I can describe to others at least three ways that I feel psychological stress. • I will learn the importance of emotional well-being. • I will be able to identify at least one way to improve my emotional well-being and to feel less stressed.
Stress & The Brain • The cerebrum is the part of the brain that receives and processes conscious sensation, generates thought, and controls conscious activity. • Extreme stress can cause a state of alertness or hyperactive hypertension.
The First Day of School • • • Do you remember the first day of school? Do you remember how others helped you prepare? Do you remember what clothes or uniform you wore? Do you remember what kind of backpack or supplies you had? Do you remember the atmosphere in your house? Do you remember the atmosphere in the classroom and school? Do you remember what your teammates were like? How did people receive you? Was anyone hostile? Did you feel out of place? Were teachers kind?
How Is Stress Felt? • Do you remember what you were thinking and how you were feeling? • Do you remember how your body felt? • Did your heart speed up? • Did you feel nervous? • Did you start to sweat? • Did you get nervous? If so, now you know how it feels to be with stress. . . But what does the word "stress" mean to you?
Survival & Stress • Stress is a method that our bodies and minds use, without permission, to protect us from danger. • From the beginning, the human body learned to protect itself from threats by using stress. When faced with danger, stress helped people run, fight, and make quick decisions. • Worry makes our body and mind feel threatened. That is why our body, mind and spirit respond with stress.
Different Types of Stress • Stress is “bad” when you live constantly in a cycle where everything seems to go wrong, where you see yourself surrounded by negative things. We call that “chronic” stress. . . It’s stress that does not seem to end or go away. • Keep in mind that stress is not always bad. Remember the tingling sensation you felt when you went to your first date? Or maybe the excited emotions you felt when you were getting married, or when your children were born? This is a “good” stress! Let's talk about the difference between "good" stress and "bad" stress.
Causes of Stress: Unemployment In this CDC investigation, 17, 500 adults were asked if they were exposed to adverse experiences during childhood, such as: • • Physical or emotional abuse Physical or emotional neglect Mental disorders Drug dependence Incarceration of parents Separation or divorce from parents Domestic violence
Study Results: Main Points • 67% of the evaluated population had suffered at least one adverse situation during childhood. • 12. 6% of respondents had suffered four or more adverse situations. • There was an important relationship between exposure to adverse events and health problems throughout life. People who had suffered four or more adverse situations were on average 2. 5 times more likely to suffer from chronic diseases. Do you remember the time when you experienced an adverse situation?
Generational Trauma • A chronic and oppressive trauma in the family or community can have a psychological impact that affects the members of that family or community for many generations. (For example, exposure to violence involving highly lethal weapons against a family member or neighborhood may create anxiety in adolescents. ) Do you remember a moment in the past or present where you suffered or saw others in your community suffer from oppressive trauma?
Stress & My Mind • There are several reasons why we feel physical, mental or psychological stress. • Having a relative who is in jail, sick, or a victim of domestic violence can cause stress. • Many Latinos, especially the undocumented, may feel psychological stress for fear that they may be deported. • Discrimination or social isolation may result in anxiety, depression, and/or low self-esteem. Do you remember the time when you experienced social isolation?
What Are Other Causes of Stress? • There are several reasons why we feel physical, mental or Research has shown that financial problems can cause psychological stress. • Like parents who face psychological stress from financial issues, their children will be vulnerable to emotional problems. Do you remember the time when you experienced anxiety over a financial situation?
What Is Emotional Well-Being? • Positive mental health and emotional well-being help us cope with psychological stress. • According to the US General Surgeon, positive mental health allows people to: Realize their full potential; deal with the stress of life; work productively; and make meaningful contributions to their communities. • Chronic stress puts emotional well-being at risk in general. • Improving emotional well-being reduces stress.
Improving Emotional Well-Being • Identify the sources of stress in your life. • Learn to ask for help. You can ask for help from family, friends or organizations. • Avoid unnecessary stress. • Learn to say no. • Avoid the people who cause you stress. • Learn to talk about your feelings. • Look at things in a different way. Sometimes we think that something can be stressful when in reality it is not. • Take time for yourself, enjoy activities that build your spirit.
• Compartiendo el Cafe y Chocolate is a workshop program supported by Anthem, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. , and was created by Venus Ginés, M. A. P/CHWI, President/Founder, Día de la Mujer Latina. Inc. ™ • www. diadelamujerlatina. org
- Slides: 15