Stress and Health

1. Stress and Health

2. Stress Facts • The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that 60% of the problems brought to physicians in the U.S. are stress related. Many are the result of stress; others are made worse or last longer because of it.

3. Health Problems with Excessive Stress • CHD and stroke • Gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers • Impaired immune system • Insomnia, headache • Backache • Drug & alcohol use

4. How Stress Promotes Illness • Direct effect • Raises blood pressure • Impairs immune system • Indirect effect • Less positive behaviors (exercise, healthy diet, lack of sleep) • More negative behaviors (drinking, smoking, unhealthy diet)

5. BURN RUST OUT OUT (Distress) (Boredom) EUSTRESS (The optimal amount of stress) The Stress Target Zone

6. Stress Continuum • Rust Out (Boredom) • Fatigue, frustration, dissatisfaction • Eustress • Creativity, problem solving, change, satisfaction • Burn Out (Distress) • Over-stimulation, ineffective problem solving, exhaustion, illness, low self-esteem

7. Types of Stressors • Environmental • Heat, noise, crowding • Physiological • Drugs, caffeine, tobacco • Emotional (psycho-social) • Pressures, life

8. Characteristics of Stressful Events • Negative • Harder to accept than • positive • Uncontrollable • Take control of what you • can • Ambiguous • Accompanies poorly defined • expectations

9. Appraisal Coping Stressor Stress Outcome Contemporary Views of the Nature of Stress The Process of Stress

10. Appraisal of Stressors High Stress See stressor as a threat Stressor Stress Appraisal See stressor as a challenge Low Stress

11. Hardiness • Commitment • Control • Challenge Are you a “Hardy” Person?

12. Responses to Stress • Physiological • Increased HR • Tense muscles • Cognitive • Worry, lack of concentration • forgetfulness • Emotional • Anger, sense of dread • Behavioral • Less patient, hurrying

13. Stressorwithin your control Active CopingStrategies Stress Outcome Stressorout of your control Passive CopingStrategies Coping with Stress

14. Active Coping Strategies Accepting Re-Appraising Praying Problem Solving Controlling Seeking Social Support Passive Coping Strategies Ignoring Escaping Confronting Relaxing Exercising Seeking Social Support Types of Coping Strategies

15. Types of Social Support • Informational • Material • Emotional • These may be either active or passive

16. Summary of Stress You may not be able to smooth out the surf, but you can learn to ride the waves!

17. Steps for Stress Management: • Identify causes and symptoms of stress • Use measures to reduce stress • Seek solutions for avoiding stressors • Accept what can't be changed • Act on what can be changed • Maintain fitness and health • Better able to cope with stress when rested and in good shape

18. Common Stress Reduction Techniques • Quick "time out" • Jacobson's progressive relaxation • Autogenic training • Biofeedback • Meditation / imagery • Exercise Each technique will be discussed separately in subsequent slides.

19. Quick "Time Out" • Deep breathing • Take mind off of problems

20. Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation Technique • Involves alternate contraction and relaxation of muscles • Teaches person to identify stress-related tension in the body

21. Autogenic Relaxation Training • Combines deep rhythmic breathing with soothing imagery • Feelings of heaviness and warmth facilitate process

22. Meditation / Imagery • Relies on deep breathing • Facilitated by images of peace and relaxation

23. Exercise • Provides a break from reality • Improves mood and self-esteem

24. Summary • Stress is a natural part of life but with appropriate stress management techniques you can learn to manage it more effectively.

25. Time Management • Maximizing your available time • Focusing your time on your priorities

26. Steps for Time Management • Step 1 Establish priorities • Step 2 Monitor current time use • Step 3 Analyze time use • Step 4 Make a schedule