Stress Stressor any new or potentially unpleasant situation

Stress

Stressor- any new or potentially unpleasant situation n Stress Response- the body’s reaction to a stressor n Stress- the combination of a stressor and a stress response n Stress intervention- Any action that prevents a stressor from resulting in negative consequences n

What Causes Stress? n Environmental Stressors: conditions or events in your physical environment that cause you stress. n Examples: noise. pollution, poverty, crowding,

What Causes Stress? n Biological Stress: Conditions that make it difficult for your body to take part in daily activities. n Examples: an injury having an illness, disability, or

What Causes Stress? n Thinking Stressors: Any type of mental challenge can cause stress. n Example: Taking a test

What Causes Stress? n Behavioral Stress: Unhealthy behavior, such as not getting enough rest can lead to stress. n Example: Using tobacco, alcohol, other drugs. Not getting enough sleep, exercise.

What Causes Stress? n Life Change Stress: Any major life change, whether positive or negative, can cause stress. n Examples: married. death of a loved one, getting

Fight or Flight Response n The physical changes that prepare your body to respond quickly and appropriately to stressors is called the “Fight or Flight” response.

Physical changes of the body due to a stress response More blood goes to the brain 2. Heart beats faster 3. Pupils open wider 4. Mouth becomes dry 5. Breathing speeds up 6. Sweating increases 1. 7. Muscles tense up 8. More blood goes to the legs/arms 9. Blood pressure increases 10. Hearing improves 11. Adrenal glands secrete adrenaline

Long Term Stress Can Make You Sick! n Tension headache n n Cold/flu n n Backache n n TMJ n Heart Disease n n High Blood Pressure Ulcer Insomnia Depression Stroke

Positive Stress n Eustress: A positive stress that energizes one and help one reach a goal. n Makes you feel alert and lively. You appear confident and in control

Negative Stress n Distress: Negative stress that can make a person sick or keep a person from reaching a goal. n Makes you nervous, forgetful, frightened.

Dealing with Stress n Take care of yourself! – Exercise – Get Enough Rest – Eat Right

Learn to Relax! Relaxation Techniques 1. Meditation- Sit down and close your eyes 2. Progressive Relaxation- Tense and relax muscles as your eyes are closed 3. Body Scanning- Find one body part that is relaxed

Learn to Relax! Relaxation Techniques 4. Autogenetic Training- imagine that your eyes and legs are heavy 5. Laughing 6. Yelling or Crying- Go somewhere quiet and let your stress out

Change Your Attitude! n Use Positive Self Talk n Be confident about yourself n Don’t worry about things out of your control

Manage Your Time! n List and Prioritize Your Projects – Arrange priorities by importance n Know and Set Your Limits – Learn to say “no” n Make a Schedule – – – Enter priorities first Be realistic Prepare for problems Make time to relax Do it!